Santa Maria

Overview May 29, 2020

Golden State Water has proudly served the Santa Maria Customer Service Area since 1976, providing high-quality, reliable water to approximately 13,400 customers in Santa Maria, Lake Marie, Nipomo, Orcutt, Sisquoc, Tanglewood, Cypress Ridge and surrounding areas.

Six water systems serve the Santa Maria Customer Service Area. Water delivered to customers in the Lake Marie, Nipomo, Cypress Ridge, Orcutt and Sisquoc systems comes from local groundwater, which is pumped from the Santa Maria Groundwater Basin through wells operated by Golden State Water. The Tanglewood System is primarily supplied from local groundwater pumped through wells operated by Golden State Water, and has a connection to receive supplemental surface water from the Central Coast Water Authority.

Post June 30, 2020

Conservation

While Cypress Ridge experienced historical precipitation in 2023, the rainfall did not sufficiently recharge local groundwater basins, the area’s primary water source. Until conditions improve, communities dependent on groundwater remain in Stage Two, and mandatory restrictions with surcharges for water use above allocations remain in effect. Surcharges are the most effective tool to protect local groundwater supplies, especially during summer.

Important Drought Notice:

Golden State Water Company’s Cypress Ridge and Nipomo customers are required to reduce water usage by 20% as compared to 2020.

System	Reduction goal	Actual reduction *
Cypress Ridge	20%	-7%
Nipomo	20%	-8%

*Actual reduction (compared to 2020 usage)

In order to achieve the mandatory reductions, the following Staged Mandatory Water Conservation and Rationing plan has been filed for the local water system.

Current Stage: Stage 2, effective September 19, 2021

Stage 1: Outdoor irrigation recommended no more than three days per week, before 8 AM or after 7 PM; even addresses on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday, odd addresses on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday

Stage 2: Outdoor irrigation limited to two days per week, before 8 AM or after 7 PM; even addresses on Sunday and Wednesday, odd addresses on Tuesday and Saturday; $2.50 emergency surcharge per CcF over allocation

Stage 3: Irrigation restrictions from Stage 2; $5 emergency surcharge per CcF over allocation

Stage 4: Irrigation restrictions from Stage 2; $7.50 emergency surcharge per CcF over allocation

Stage 5: Irrigation restrictions from Stage 2; $10 emergency surcharge per CcF over allocation

Stage 6: Irrigation restrictions from Stage 2; $15 emergency surcharge per CcF over allocation

Additional Resources

Water Conservation School

Post May 30, 2020

Rates

As a regulated utility, every three years Golden State Water’s rates are determined by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) through a General Rate Case (GRC) to ensure customers receive a fair rate for reliable, quality water service. New rates allow for investments to avoid the costly and sometimes dangerous effects of deferring maintenance or delaying the replacement of aging infrastructure.

2020 GRC (2023 Rates)

Effective July 31, 2023, the California Public Utilities Commission approved the 2020 GRC which includes new rates to ensure the safety and dependability of your local water system. Click here to learn more. Learn more about the rate-making process and localized information on new rates and investments in the Santa Maria 2020 GRC Fact Sheet.

The average residential customer in the Santa Maria Customer Service Area with a 5/8 x 3/4” meter using 10,472 gallons (1,400 cubic feet or 14 Ccf) per month will see their monthly bill increase from $68.66 to $71.67 (excluding any applicable surcharges).
The average commercial customer in the Santa Maria Customer Service Area with a 5/8 X 3/4” meter using 40,392 gallons (5,400 cubic feet or 54 Ccf) per month will see their monthly bill increase from $212.12 to $224.16 (excluding any applicable surcharges).

2023 GRC (2025 Rates)

As required by the CPUC every three years, in August of 2023, Golden State Water Company filed its 2023 General Rate Case (GRC) with the California Public Utilities Commission. This rate plan proposes local infrastructure investments and water rates for the years 2025, 2026 and 2027. Any adjustments to current rates will not go into effect until January 2025, at the earliest. Click here to learn more.

The average residential customer in the Santa Maria Customer Service Area with a 5/8 x 3/4” meter using 9,724 gallons (1,400 cubic feet or 13 Ccf) per month will see their 2023 monthly bill increase from $67.94 to $89.97 in 2025, at the earliest (excluding any applicable surcharges).
The average commercial customer in the Santa Maria Customer Service Area with a 5/8 x 3/4” meter using 40,392 gallons (5,400 cubic feet or 54 Ccf) per month will see their 2023 monthly bill increase from $224.16 to $303.13 in 2025, at the earliest (excluding any applicable surcharges).

Learn More

Understanding Your Tariff Sheet

Review All Rates, Tariffs and Advice Letters

Post June 1, 2020

Rebate

Santa Maria CSA

Post May 30, 2020

Capital Projects

The General Rate Case approved June 29, 2023 invests over $14 million in the Santa Maria Customer Service Area. The new rates are being invested in your service area’s new booster pumps, new reservoirs, chlorination systems, and backup power equipment

Current & Upcoming Projects

Recently Completed Projects

Lake Marie Reservoir Liner

Investment:
$260,000

Project Timeline:
November 2019 – Feb. 7, 2020

Construction crews worked to replace the existing liner in the Lake Marie reservoir.

This project will ensure Golden State Water can continue providing reliable water service to local customers.

Alta Mesa Well
1710 Via Alta Mesa in Nipomo

Investment:
$820,000

Project Timeline:
Feb. 4, 2019 – Dec. 11, 2019

Working Hours:
TBD

Construction crews will work to install a water filtration system.

This project will ensure Golden State Water can continue providing reliable water service to local customers.

Portable Generator & Generator Connector
Systemwide

Investment:
$266,000

Project Timeline:
Sept. 18, 2018 – Feb. 29, 2020

Working Hours:
Monday – Friday
7 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Construction crews will work to install and connect emergency generators throughout the system.

This project will ensure Golden State Water can continue providing reliable water service to local customers during site-specific power outages.

SCADA System
Cypress Ridge System

Investment:
$1 million

Project Timeline:
July 1, 2019 – Spring 2020

Construction crews will work to install a SCADA system, which will allow for systemwide automation.

This project will ensure Golden State Water can continue providing reliable water service to local customers during site-specific power outages.

Pinewood Plant
3599 Pinewood Road

Investment:
$2.6 million

Project Timeline:
Sept. 18, 2018 – Oct. 31, 2019

Working Hours:
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Construction crews worked to:

Construct 238,000-gallon welded steel tank
Construct booster station

This project will increase the water storage capacity for the Tanglewood System.

View the construction notice.

Oak Plant
210 Oak Street in Orcutt

Investment:
$330,000

Project Timeline:
April 12, 2019 – June 19, 2019

Working Hours:
Monday – Friday
7 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Construction crews worked to upgrade the well.

This project will improve the distribution system and ensure Golden State Water can continue providing reliable water service to local customers.

Orcutt Hill Plant

Investment:
$.5 million

Project Timeline:
September 18, 2018 – September 16, 2019

Working Hours:
Monday – Friday
7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Construction crews worked to recoat the interior of the reservoir.

This project will extend the useful life of the reservoir and ensure Golden State Water can continue providing reliable water service to local customers.