Audit of Prop O Clean Water Program: Good Projects—But a Poor Financial Practice

Prop O authorized the City to issue up to $500 million in general obligation bonds to bring the City into compliance with the Clean Water Act and to increase flood and habitat protections and recreational opportunities. The bond measure was categorically specific in how the money was to be allocated: $250 million for improving water quality in rivers, lakes, bays and the ocean, $100 million for flood water reduction and for neighborhood parks that would help prevent polluted runoff and $75 million for stormwater capture, cleanup and reuse, and another $75 million for water conservation and drinking water protection.