CA Developers To Bear Runoff Costs

New clean water requirements to treat runoff will is expected to cost developers $300 million in Northern California.

1 minute read

September 2, 2002, 7:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


According to this article, new clean water requirements areexpected to cost public and private developers $300 million a year inCalifornia's Contra Costa and Alameda counties. The new regulations by the San Francisco BayRegional Water Quality Control Board (SWRCB) would apply to all new commercial andprivate developments, redevelopment projects and capital improvementsthatpave more than an acre of land. The developers would be forced toincludefacilities that store and treat runoff and then slowly distribute thewaterinto the ground. The board is trying to strengthen federal standards inaneffort to improve drinking water quality and maintain ground reservesduring drought conditions.

Thanks to California Policy Forum

Wednesday, August 28, 2002 in Contra Costa Times-Walnut Creek

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 16, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement

The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.

September 18, 2026 - Mass Transit

Geese flock to a frozen pond in Aurora, Colorado. There are houses in the background.

Colorado’s Largest Data Center Could Rise Next to Homes — Without a Public Hearing

The proposed campus would consume 11 times the power of Denver International Airport; as it has across the country, opposition mounts.

September 17, 2026 - Capital & Main

A busy highway in Richmond, with construction and the city visible in the background.

'This is going to be painful:’ Virginia stares down $1.7 billion funding gap for highway maintenance

The state may address the deficit by shifting $290 million from its construction budget to maintenance projects.

September 19 - The Virginia Mercury

The Gross Reservoir, a large body of water surrounded by trees and mountains.

Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion

Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.

September 18 - Inside Climate News

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement

The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.

September 18 - Mass Transit