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The article discusses a 2009 court case filed at a California federal court by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California State Water Resources Board against eight East Bay agencies in California to prevent sewage spills into San Francisco Bay. Topics discussed include the East Bay Municipal Water District (EBMWD) and Alameda, Oakland and five East Bay communities committing to invest some 1.5 billion U.S. dollars to upgrade 1,500 miles of sewer system infrastructure.

Features the program of the California Environmental Protection Agency for providing qualified environmental technology vendors with product evaluation and certification. Assessment of performance standards; Offer of contaminated premises by defense agencies as test sites.

The article looks at a 2012 report from the U.S. National Research Council (NRC) regarding water supply issues in the Bay Delta of California. The report stated that sustainable water resources development and environmental management plans should be coordinated between local and state agencies, noting that increasing water scarcity is expected due to climate change and population growth. A Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) is under development by the California Natural Resources Agency.

The article informs that copper pipe advocates are turning a safety debate launched by California Professional Association of Specialty Contractors (CalPASC) into a question of the benefits of chloramine-treated water. CalPASC, a Sacramento-based trade organization for residential trade contractors, claims that chloramines contribute to pitting, pinholes and potential failure of copper pipe. The group wants to allow plastic piping in California's uniform building code. It claims the move would save $100 million annually in decreased labor and materials and avoid increased insurance costs linked to leaky copper pipes.

Reports the censure from developers and local governments regarding the reduction of runoff pollution of coastal waters initiated by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Board in California. Reference to compliance cost; Lawsuit against the board filed by Signal Hill manager Ken Farfsing; Questions on the cost-effectiveness of the plan.

Reports on the revision of California's environmental rules to encourage waste cleanups and create high-tech jobs for its unemployed. Description of the draft plan; Other recommendations in the plan; Development of a database of potential cleanup business partners and buyers.