Disadvantaged communities (DACs) in the Tulare Lake Basin region face widespread drinking water and wastewater challenges. In many cases local Counties and Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) planning groups have been unable to help DACs within their planning areas to address these challenges. This Study will investigate and develop solutions for DACs that can be integrated into IRWM planning efforts for the Tulare Lake Basin region.

The California Department of Water Resources awarded $2 million to the County of Tulare to develop a plan for regional water and wastewater solutions for DACs in the Tulare Lake basin, including areas in Fresno, Kern, Kings and Tulare Counties. The solutions must provide safe, clean and affordable potable water supplies and effective and affordable wastewater treatment and disposal options. They must also address long-term sustainability for operation, management and financing these services . The Study will look at a variety of different types of joint and shared solutions, recognizing that there is not a one-size-fits-all solution.

Stakeholder Oversight Advisory Committee Responsibilities
Oversee implementation of the Tulare Lake Basin Disadvantaged Community Water Study

• Determine priorities in the region
• Develop criteria for evaluating projects
• Select individual pilot projects and/ or studies
• Approve final report recommendations

All meetings will be open to the public and public participation is greatly encouraged. The goal of the meetings is to ensure Pilot Projects and/ or Studies represent region wide issue and solution modeling that the entire region will benefit from.

This project is financed under the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006, administered by State of California, Department of Water Resources.

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