2012 Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program
Voters overwhelmingly approve Measure S, a renewal of the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program
In November 2020, voters in Santa Clara County overwhelmingly approved Measure S, a renewal of Valley Water’s Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program (Safe, Clean Water Program) that was approved in 2012. The measure needed 66.67% to pass and garnered more than 75% of votes at the November 2020 election. The renewed Safe, Clean Water Program identifies six key community priorities, established in collaboration with tens of thousands of residents and stakeholders. Details on the renewed Safe, Clean Water Program can be found in the Renewed Safe, Clean Water program document. The renewed Safe, Clean Water program will become effective in Fiscal Year 2021-2022 (FY22), starting on July 1, 2021, following the conclusion of the current program in FY21. On June 8, 2021, the Valley Water Board of Directors approved the 5-Year Implementation Plan (FY22-26).
About the 2012 Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program
In November 2012 the voters of Santa Clara County overwhelmingly approved Measure B, the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program, as a countywide special parcel tax for 15 years with a sunset date of June 30, 2028. This program replaced the Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Plan, which voters approved in November 2000.
The Safe, Clean Water Program was developed with input from more than 16,000 residents and stakeholders and was created to match the community’s needs and values. The voters of Santa Clara County identified five priorities:
- Priority A: Ensure a Safe, Reliable Water Supply
- Priority B: Reduce Toxins, Hazards and Contaminants in our Waterways
- Priority C: Protect our Water Supply from Earthquakes and Natural Disasters
- Priority D: Restore Wildlife Habitat and Provide Open Space
- Priority E: Provide Flood Protection to Homes, Businesses, Schools and Highways
- Other: Six projects from the Clean, Safe, Creeks Plan have been carried forward into the Safe, Clean Water Program.
Each year, Valley Water prepares a report providing a progress update for each of these program priorities, along with fiscal year accomplishments.
To ensure transparency and accountability to the voters, the ballot measure also created an Independent Monitoring Committee, appointed by the Santa Clara Valley Water District Board of Directors. The Independent Monitoring Committee annually reviews the program’s progress to ensure the outcomes are achieved in a cost-efficient manner and reports its findings to the Board.
In addition, the program requires three independent audits, the first of which was conducted in FY 2017.
How important is safe, clean water and natural flood protection to you?We all know our community is contending with new challenges such as emergencies, natural disasters, climate change, population growth, and uncertain imported water supplies. To better address these issues, we are exploring the opportunity to renew and update the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program, which currently has a sunset date of 2028.
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