Urban Water Use Regulations

Urban Water Use Regulations

Overview

The California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) has adopted a new urban water use regulation, “Making Conservation a California Way of Life” that went into effect January 1, 2025. According to the state, the regulations will help save 500,000 acre-feet of water annually by 2040.

Unlike in past years, the state will no longer base water restrictions on drought conditions. The new regulations require suppliers to calculate water conservation goals based on population, climate, and landscape area. The regulations could impose modest to severe water restrictions in some customer service areas, regardless of state water supplies. The framework is expected to result in suppliers making investments and programmatic changes encouraging individuals, businesses, and local governments to reduce water consumption or increase water use efficiency.

The framework shifts from a statewide, one-size-fits-all approach to a more local water budget approach. Urban water suppliers must use local standards, including indoor and outdoor usage, climate, population, landscape, and water loss, to lessen the need for emergency water use reductions experienced in recent droughts.

Continuing education and outreach programs will encourage customers to be proactive and use water wisely indoors and outdoors.

Promote conservation programs, such as detecting system leaks, converting turf to drought-resistant landscapes, replacing inefficient water fixtures and appliances, and providing rebates for water-saving technology. See link to conservation programs.

While the proposed regulation designates urban retail water suppliers as responsible for achieving the stated water efficiency goals, customers will be encouraged to invest in measures that increase water efficiency and reduce water consumption.

To achieve the water use objectives in some areas, Assembly Bill 1572 prohibits drinking water to irrigate Non-Functional Turf for CII customers. Other CII landscapes might have to be reduced and replaced with climate-appropriate landscapes and irrigation. Golden State Water will continue to promote residential indoor and outdoor water-efficient technology and offer rebates when available. View the Rebates and Programs packets

State regulations will impose permanent water use standards in state and local drought conditions.

The regulations require suppliers to calculate their objective annually using a statewide efficiency standard and local service area characteristics such as population, climate, and landscape area. The regulations could impose modest to severe water restrictions in some customer service areas, regardless of state water supplies.

Urban Suppliers may include “variances” for unique uses or a bonus incentive for potable recycled water use where relevant to their objective if feasible. Suppliers would need to meet the overall objective, not each budget. The one exception is the budget for water loss, which was set by a separate regulation. 

To learn more about the proposed regulation and upcoming opportunities to participate, visit: https://waterboards.ca.gov/conservation/framework/.