The bill seeks to encourage water efficiency by granting an optional authority for municipalities to provide low cost loans covering the up-front costs of water efficient features permanently fixed water use efficiency improvements on private property. Efficiency improvements not deemed permanently attached to the property by the state would not be eligible for loans under this legislation.

According to a backgrounder, the bill was inspired by AB 811, which was signed into law last year providing similar encouragements for solar power.

Among the efficiency technologies named in the legislation are artificial turf, permeable pavement, recycled water plumbing and cisterns.