Advocacy and Policy Development

The WATER Institute strategically collaborates with municipalities, agenices, developers and landowners on effective implementation and compliance with storm water BMP's inherent in the new Clean Water Act Phase II regulations. Institute staff also consult with municipalities on water balance, groundwater management, endangered species recovery, watershed restoration and water privatization issues. We offer public and custom presentations about Conservation Hydrology solutions to water problems related to human development (go to Speakers Bureau for more information). In 2002, WATER Institute staff successfully advocated for the inclusion of a stand alone Water Resource Element in Sonoma County’s General Plan as part of the county's 20 year General Plan update process. WATER Institute staff participate in various water advocacy coalitions, such as the Sonoma County Water Coalition and Shasta Dam Alliance.

We have recently compiled a list of Rainwater Policy Resources that includes websites, tax incentives, reports and publications for rainwater catchment systems legislation, policy guidelines, design and maintenance. It is our hope that citizens and policy makers will use this information to create policy language, pass initiatives and install rainwater catchment systems in their own cities, states and countries.

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