Report 2021-118 Recommendation 7 Responses
Report 2021-118: State Water Resources Control Board: It Lacks the Urgency Necessary to Ensure That Failing Water Systems Receive Needed Assistance in a Timely Manner (Release Date: July 2022)
Recommendation #7 To: Water Resources Control Board
To minimize the prolonged periods during which Californians suffer without safe drinking water, the State Water Board should do the following by January 2023, develop metrics and performance benchmarks for key phases of the application and funding processes, including the number of days it should take to execute a funding agreement after it receives a complete application. It should also review recent past applications in light of these new metrics to identify common reasons for delays—including an increase in consolidation projects—and develop processes to overcome these delays.
6-Month Agency Response
Key performance indicators (KPIs) for key phases of the the application review and agreement development/execution process have been developed for planning and construction projects, including number of days to execute an agreement from determining a complete application, assuming no eligibility issues identified during the course of the eligibility review and timely engagement/responsiveness from the applicant. An evaluation of recent applications in light of these proposed KPIs is now underway to identify common reasons for delay, including consolidation projects. See attachment #7.
- Completion Date: January 2023
- Response Date: January 2023
California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Partially Implemented
Although State Water Board developed benchmarks for key phases of the application and funding processes, its response indicates it is in the process of reviewing past applications in light of these new metrics to identify common reasons for delays and develop processes to overcome these delays. We look forward to reviewing its analysis and new processes to overcome application funding delays.
- Auditee did not substantiate its claim of full implementation
- Auditee did not address all aspects of the recommendation
60-Day Agency Response
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) have been added to the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Draft Intended Use Plan. State Board consideration of adoption is October 2022. Additional KPIs are under development for the application review and agreement processes and will be completed by December 2022. State Board staff are conducting a Lean Six Sigma evaluation of the consolidation process.
- Estimated Completion Date: January 1, 2023
- Response Date: September 2022
California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending
We look forward to reviewing the State Water Board's metrics and performance benchmarks for key phases of the application and agreement processes.
All Recommendations in 2021-118
Agency responses received are posted verbatim.