Report 2021-118 Recommendation 16 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 #16 To: Water Resources Control Board
To ensure that it is maximizing the number of water systems that are aware of available technical assistance and funding options, including failing water systems and water systems serving disadvantaged communities, the State Water Board should immediately amend the contract with its current outreach provider to coordinate with the State Water Board to ensure that the provider does not work with systems already receiving technical assistance. The State Water Board should also develop a plan by January 2023 to avoid future outreach work that duplicates the efforts of its providers or of its staff.
6-Month Agency Response
The technical assistance agreement referenced in the audit report (D1917007), which includes unique outreach work to at risk systems, has been amended (#16 attached) to incorporate new processes to avoid duplication of effort, including a semi-annual outreach plan identifying which systems they will target and why, and to outline the general outreach approach planned. This will allow us to weigh in on priorities and assist them in cross-checking to avoid any duplication with other outreach and technical assistance efforts. Other technical assistance agreements require a Division approved Assistance Request prior to starting work with a system to eliminate potential for duplication.
- Completion Date: January 2023
- Response Date: January 2023
California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Partially Implemented
- Auditee did not substantiate its claim of full implementation
- Auditee did not address all aspects of the recommendation
60-Day Agency Response
The technical assistance agreement referenced in the audit report (D1917007) is being amended to incorporate new processes including a semi-annual outreach plan identifying which systems they will target and why, and to outline the general outreach approach planned. This will allow us to weigh in on priorities and assist them in cross-checking to avoid any duplication with other outreach or technical assistance efforts. Their quarterly reporting will also provide data from the initial outreach and any recommended next steps for the contacted systems based on initial outreach efforts. The amendment is expected to be executed by December 2022/January 2023.
- Estimated Completion Date: January 1, 2023
- Response Date: September 2022
California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending
All Recommendations in 2021-118
Agency responses received are posted verbatim.