Water Code section 10004
(a)
The department shall develop a comprehensive, strategic plan for the sustainable management and stewardship of California’s water resources. This plan shall be known as “The California Water Plan” and shall provide an update on the status and trends of California’s water-dependent natural resources, water supplies, and its agricultural, urban, and environmental water demands for a range of plausible future scenarios. The plan also shall include long-term water supply targets and strategies to meet those targets as outlined in this chapter.(b)
The department shall update The California Water Plan on or before December 31, 2028, and every five years thereafter.(c)
To develop the plan, the department, in consultation with the California Water Commission, shall establish an advisory committee, composed of representatives of agricultural and urban water suppliers, local government, business, agriculture, tribes, labor representatives from building and construction trades, labor representatives from public agencies involved in critical water infrastructure, including, but not limited to, water treatment and water wholesalers, environmental justice interests, environmental interests, and other interested parties, to assist and provide input to the department in the updating of The California Water Plan. The department shall consult with the advisory committee and consider recommendations in carrying out this chapter. The department shall provide written notice of meetings of the advisory committee to any interested person or entity that requests the notice. The meetings shall be open to the public.(d)
The department may add members to the advisory committee to carry out the purposes of Section 10004.7. Additional advisory committee members may include those from environmental justice sectors, local water supply agencies, and researchers and experts on climate science, climate science solutions, water storage, water conveyance, and environmental protection.(e)
The department shall release a preliminary draft of The California Water Plan, as updated, upon request, to interested persons and entities throughout the state for their review and comments. The department shall provide these persons and entities an opportunity to present written or oral comments on the preliminary draft. The department shall consider these comments in the preparation of the final publication of The California Water Plan, as updated.(f)
The department shall coordinate with the California Water Commission, the board, other local, state, and federal agencies as appropriate, and the advisory committee to develop the plan.
Source:
Section 10004, https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=WAT§ionNum=10004. (updated Jan. 1, 2026; accessed Dec. 29, 2025).
