Bill Text: CA AB460 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

California Assembly Bill 460 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Water resources: salinity: water softeners.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-02-02 - Died at Desk. [AB460 Detail]

Download: California-2009-AB460-Introduced.html

BILL NUMBER: AB 460	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Anderson

                        FEBRUARY 24, 2009

   An act relating to water salinity.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 460, as introduced, Anderson. Water resources: salinity: water
softeners.
   Existing law authorizes a residential water softening or
conditioning appliance to be installed only if certain conditions are
met, including the requirement that an appliance installed on or
after January 1, 2002, be certified to have a salt efficiency rating
of no less than 4,000 grains of hardness removed per pound of salt
used in regeneration.
   This bill would express the intent of the Legislature to enact
legislation that would require new residential water softening
equipment sold in California to have a minimum salt efficiency rating
of no less than 4,400 grains of hardness removed per pound of salt
used in regeneration. This bill would also express the intent of the
Legislature to enact legislation that would achieve a 20% reduction
in the per capita use of salt in water softening equipment in
California on or before December 31, 2012.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) California is facing three serious related environmental
issues, (1) high levels of salinity in its water supply, (2)
excessive water usage, and (3) high energy consumption.
   (b) Water is a public resource that the California Constitution
protects against waste and unreasonable use.
   (c) Because of the geological history of California, much of the
salinity of California's water is from natural sources. Naturally
occurring hard water results in increased energy usage and water
consumption.
   (d) Much of the water softening equipment in all sectors of
state-owned or operated facilities are of an older and inefficient
design, and thereby contribute to California's salinity problem.
   (e) A statewide program to evaluate, upgrade, and replace existing
water softening equipment in state owned or operated facilities
would significantly reduce the salinity of California's waters.
   (f) Upgrading the water softening equipment in all sectors of
California, including the industrial, commercial, agricultural, and
residential sectors, would also contribute to a reduction in the use
of energy and water.
  SEC. 2.  It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation
that would require all new residential water softening equipment sold
in California to have a salt efficiency rating of no less than 4,400
grains of hardness removed per pound of salt used in regeneration,
and to enact legislation that would achieve a 20 percent reduction in
the per capita use of salt in water softening equipment in
California on or before December 31, 2012.