The water systems serving nearly a million residents in California do not meet water quality standards, and the State Water Board lacks urgency in providing timely assistance, according to a report released by the state auditor on July 26.
The audit found that more than 370 water systems—serving more than 920,000 residents—are failing, and hundreds of additional systems are at risk of failing.
A water system is define by the board as a water supplier providing for at least 15 residences or at least 25 people daily for at least 60 days out of the year.
The auditor recommended that the board speed up the funding applications process and better monitor the service quality of its technical assistance providers….