Senator Roth’s Legislation Providing Water to Customers of Failed County Water Company Sent to Governor Brown

Senator Richard D. Roth’s (D-Riverside) proposed new law to provide safe drinking water to 140 homes in Western Riverside County served by the failed, private County Water Company of Riverside passed the State Assembly today on a unanimous, bipartisan vote of 72-0.

Senate Bill 1130 now goes to the Governor for his consideration. The bill allows the public agencies of Eastern Municipal Water District and Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District the necessary assistance they need to provide both short and long term solutions to the health and safety risks the residents face as a result of this failed water system.     

Senator Roth said, “For decades the County Water Company of Riverside failed to deliver safe and reliable water to 140 homes, due to nitrate contamination and a failing infrastructure system. On many occasions, the residents of this community have relied on either contaminated water or bottled water to service their daily needs. This is completely unacceptable.”

“I am grateful my colleagues in the Legislature recognized this pressing water emergency.  The Eastern Municipal Water District and Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District both have stepped up to help resolve the health and safety risks the residents face as a result of this failing water system,” said Senator Roth. Riverside County health officials and the California Department of Public Health asked the two adjacent local water agencies for help to provide the residents with safe drinking water.

For the districts, assistance comes with the risk of liability and potential costs to the existing ratepayers of the agencies offering assistance. This bill would allow the public water agencies to provide the necessary assistance to the residents without being held liable for past administrative or operational deficiencies of the existing water system.

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