SCR142 - March4Water Month.

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 142 CHAPTER 197 Relative to March4Water Month. [ Filed with Secretary of State August 24, 2026. ] LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SCR 142, Becker. March4Water Month. This measure would declare the month of March 2026 to be March4Water Month in California and would encourage all residents, businesses, and local leaders to participate in activities and programs that promote water efficiency, support workforce development in the water sector, and prioritize water solutions as essential investments in the state’s economic future. Digest Key Fiscal Committee: NO Bill Text WHEREAS, Water is essential for sustaining life, promoting public health, and driving economic prosperity, serving as the foundation for thriving communities in California; and WHEREAS, Communities across America face the dual challenge of aging water infrastructure and growing demand, requiring innovative solutions that balance affordability, public health protection, and economic development; and WHEREAS, Water efficiency measures are typically the most affordable way to meet local water needs, with homes offering water savings potential of 250 to 1,500 gallons per dwelling annually through fixture upgrades and system improvements; and WHEREAS, Right-sizing plumbing systems can save up to $190,000 on multifamily construction projects and $5,000 per single-family home, directly addressing housing affordability while reducing water demand; and WHEREAS, Water reuse systems, including graywater, blackwater, and rainwater catchment, can expand community water supply, protect drinking water sources, and reduce strain on wastewater treatment infrastructure; and WHEREAS, Approximately one-third of the water infrastructure workforce will be eligible to retire in the next 10 years and with an estimated 44,000 annual openings projected for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters nationwide, there is a critical need for skilled professionals trained in both traditional plumbing and emerging water efficiency technologies; and WHEREAS, California employs approximately 42,000 plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters, representing a vital segment of the state’s skilled workforce essential for implementing water solutions that build community resilience; and WHEREAS, The month of March provides a unique opportunity to align local efforts with global water innovation movements, such as World Plumbing Day on March 11 and World Water Day on March 22, to highlight sustainable management of water resources and the critical role of plumbing systems in public health and safety; and WHEREAS, The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, the world’s leading technical expert on demand-side water management, developed the Uniform Plumbing Code that serves as the basis for effective plumbing systems in California, established March4Water Month in 2023 to advocate for secure and sustainable water systems, and is marking its centennial anniversary in 2026; and WHEREAS, March4Water Month serves as a platform for communities to raise awareness about water efficiency solutions, workforce development, and investments in infrastructure that support economic growth and community resilience; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby declares the month of March 2026 to be March4Water Month in California; and be it further Resolved, That the Legislature encourages all residents, businesses, and local leaders to participate in activities and programs that promote water efficiency, support workforce development in the water sector, and prioritize water solutions as essential investments in the state’s economic future; and be it further Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.