California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 72 into law, establishing a new framework to secure a reliable and climate-resilient water supply for residents, businesses, farms, and ecosystems across the state. The legislation, authored by Senator Anna Caballero, passed the Legislature unanimously and is being recognized as a key milestone in modernizing California’s approach to water management.
SB 72 directs the Department of Water Resources (DWR) to update and modernize the California Water Plan, the state’s primary strategic document guiding the coordinated management and use of water resources. Under the new law, DWR will develop a long-term water supply target for 2050 and beyond, while incorporating strategies to ensure sustainability amid changing climate conditions.
“The California Water Plan is the state’s primary strategic document guiding the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, management, and efficient utilization of the state’s water resources,” Governor Newsom said in a statement. “Primarily a technical document focused on water supply development, the plan includes information on various strategies to help meet the water needs of the state.”
The bill requires DWR, in its next plan update, to analyze current and future water trends, including the amount of additional water needed to sustain public trust resources
The bill requires DWR, in its next plan update, to analyze current and future water trends, including the amount of additional water needed to sustain public trust resources. According to the Governor, “This is a welcome opportunity to ensure that the next plan update recognizes the impacts of climate change, ensures safe drinking water for all Californians, and reflects statewide, regional and local planning efforts that include critical infrastructure for California’s future, including the Delta Convergence Project.”
Senator Caballero said the measure will help protect the state’s long-term water security. “I am pleased that Governor Newsom understood the importance of SB 72 and chose to agree with the unanimous legislative support,” she said in a press release. “This modernized strategy will protect California’s future generations and ensure a reliable water supply for all.”
The bill was co-sponsored by the California Municipal Utilities Association (CMUA), the California State Association of Counties (CSAC), and the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance (CCEEB). It also received broad support from water agencies, agricultural organizations, and environmental groups.
“SB 72 sets bold statewide water supply targets and ensures durable planning that carries beyond any single administration,” said Craig Miller, CMUA president and general manager at Western Water District. “It’s the next step in building a reliable, climate-resistant water future.”
Supporters say the new law will strengthen coordination among state agencies and local partners, improve accountability, and promote long-term infrastructure planning. By doing so, California aims to better prepare for future droughts and adapt to the growing challenges of climate change.
