HDR Releases Nutrient Report for Southern California Bight
On October 8, HDR released its nutrient management evaluation of the Southern California Bight. This comprehensive report compiles data from local agencies, highlights regional progress in nutrient management, and lays the groundwork for ongoing regulatory discussions, as well as future research, monitoring, and management strategies. To mark the official release of the report, CASA hosted a half-day, free event on October 21 at the Los Angeles County Sanitation District.

The event featured a presentation on the report’s findings, as well as cutting-edge research from the A.K. Warren Facility. The agenda also included discussions on nutrient management lessons from other regions, statewide coordination efforts, and agencies’ plans for the future. Emphasis was placed on advancing strategies for monitoring, modeling, and managing nutrients along California’s coast.

The full report and additional resources are now available on CASA’s website. For comments, feedback, or questions about the report or the event, please reach out to Jared Voskuhl.

 

DWR Kicks off Water Conservation Studies for SB 1157
On September 29, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) held the kickoff meeting for the SB 1157 Benefits and Impacts Working Group. CASA is serving on the group’s Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) and will support its efforts over the next few years.

The kickoff meeting introduced stakeholders to DWR’s approach for evaluating the economic benefits and potential impacts of the upcoming 2030 indoor residential water-use standard, with particular focus on implications for water, wastewater, and recycled water systems. DWR staff provided an overview of the legislation and outlined plans to assess both direct and indirect effects on utilities and infrastructure.

Participants discussed data availability, challenges in quantifying localized impacts, and the importance of coordinated engagement across sectors. The working group will meet periodically to support analysis and contribute to interim findings and recommendations.

DWR researchers are also replicating the State Water Resources Control Board’s (SWRCB) 2021 surveys to assess impacts on wastewater collection, treatment, and recycling systems. The original surveys, coordinated through the Summit Partners and administered by the SWRCB, identified an estimated $375 million in annual costs under a least-cost approach for the initially proposed conservation standards.

DWR plans to finalize development of these tools over the remainder of the year and issue them in winter 2026. Please reach out to Sarah Deslauriers with any questions.