Senate Bill 634, a measure to create a new valley-wide water district in the Santa Clarita Valley, has passed the Assembly Appropriations Committee and will head to the full Assembly for a floor vote, according to a news release from its author, Senator Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita.

“Water is our most precious resource. The bill creates a modern and transparent water agency which will provide an environmentally sustainable and cost effective way to manage our community’s water needs in the future,” Wilk said.

“Throughout the process I have taken amendments from stakeholders, held countless meetings with constituents, local officials and opponents to craft the best bill possible for our region,” he said. “I am very pleased to see this move through the final steps of the Legislative process.”

Late last year the boards of the Castaic Lake Water Agency and Newhall County Water District voted to dissolve the two agencies and create a new valley-wide water agency. Senate Bill 634 is the fruit of those negotiations.

Economic impact and efficiency studies have found that the new district will generate millions of dollars in savings, create more transparency for the ratepayer and enhance environmental and watershed protections.

SB 634 will go to the full Assembly for a vote sometime in the next two weeks.