[Water_news] 4. DWR'S CALIFORNIA WATER NEWS: WATER QUALITY - 8/28/08

Department of Water Resources

California Water News

A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment

 

August 28, 2008

 

4. Water Quality –

 

 

WATER SOFTENER BAN

By Associated Press

 

SACRAMENTO (AP) — California lawmakers have voted to allow local governments to ban salt-producing water softeners to help the state meet its water-recycling goal.

 

The state Assembly gave the bill by Assemblyman John Laird, D-Santa Cruz, final approval with a 45-17 vote.

The vote adopted amendments made in the Senate.

 

Supporters say high levels of salt in wastewater makes recycling more difficult.

 

The state has set a goal of using one million acre-feet of recycled water by 2010. Cities would have to get approval from a regional water quality control board before imposing restrictions on the use of water softeners.

 

They also would have to compensate homeowners who would be required to remove softeners.#

http://www.santaynezvalleyjournal.com/archive/6/35/2680/