Drought

Drought

Overview

California is experiencing three consecutive years of severe drought conditions, the driest period on record. With these conditions likely to continue, Governor Newsom’s Administration announced that without action extreme weather could diminish California’s water supply by up to 10% by 2040.

Today, the State of California requires all urban water suppliers, including Golden State Water Company, to implement Level 2 of their Conservation Plans (Schedule 14.1). A drought webpage has been developed to keep customers informed of water restrictions their service area and water saving tips that can help them navigate this drought event.

Governor Newsom Extends Drought Emergency Statewide

On October 19, 2021, Governor Newsom issued a proclamation extending the drought emergency statewide and further urging Californians to step up their water conservation efforts as the western U.S. faces ongoing drought conditions.

On March 28, 2022, Governor Newsom signed Executive Order N-7-22 calling for the State Water Resources Control Board to adopt emergency regulations.

On April 26, 2022, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) declared a water shortage emergency and limits outdoor watering to one day per week for MWD SWP-dependent areas.

On May 24, 2022, the State Water Resources Control Board adopted emergency regulations to prohibit Commercial, Industrial and Institutional customers from watering of ”non-functional turf,” or mowed grass that is only for ornamental use, and require all urban water suppliers to implement Stage 2 of their Conservation Plans. 

By June 26, 2022, all Golden State Water Company service areas were in Stage 2 mandatory conservation. 

Map Released: April 21, 2022

Map depicting drought impacts across the U.S.

View details on US Drought Monitor

The U.S. Drought Monitor is jointly produced by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Map courtesy of NDMC.

State Restrictions

  • Avoid watering outdoor landscapes in a way that causes runoff onto adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, private and public walk ways, roadways, parking lots or structures.
  • Avoid washing a vehicle with a hose without a shutoff nozzle or other devise that will immediately stop the flow of water when not in use.
  • Avoid using drinking water to wash driveways and sidewalks.
  • Avoid using drinking water in a fountain or other decorative water feature, except where the water is re-circulated.
  • Customers are not allowed to irrigate turf or ornamental landscapes during and 48 hours following measurable precipitation.
  • Restaurants and other food service establishments can only serve water to customers on request.
  • Hotel and motels must provide guests with the option of not having towels and linens laundered daily.

How You Can Help

Golden State Water customers did a tremendous job reducing water use during the last drought, and most have continued those water-efficient practices and made conservation a way of life. We must all work together to help protect valuable local and state water supplies.  

Visit our Conservation webpage to learn more about rebates, resources and tips to help customers save water and improve their water-use efficiency. Additional water-saving tips and resources are available through the Save Our Water Program.

Golden State Water will provide additional drought-related updates with customers as developments and conditions warrant. Customers are encouraged to follow @GoldenStateH2O on Twitter and Facebook for real-time information about the drought and local water service. 

Webform

Report Water Waste

Golden State Water Company appreciates anyone who witnesses water waste in our community to let us know by completing the form below. The following information will only be shared with enforcement officials.

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Allocation Appeal

Customers will have the opportunity to file an appeal if/when their service area reaches Stage 2 of the Staged Mandatory Conservation and Rationing plan (Schedule 14.1).

The Allocation Appeal Application may only be submitted for consideration if your water system has been notified of the activation of Mandatory Water Conservation and Rationing (Schedule 14.1) plan. To determine if your Customer Service Area has reached Stage 2 or higher, please refer to the list below.

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Public Meetings

Golden State Water has filed an Advice Letter with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) seeking approval to add a Staged Water Shortage Contingency Plan Mandatory Water Conservation and Rationing (Schedule 14.1) to its tariffs for all customer service areas.