Don’t Shut Off Water to People and Some Businesses During This Crisis, Says California in New Order Posted Today
Press release from California Environmental Protection Agency:
Building on efforts to provide support for residents during the statewide State of EmergencyPDF download due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Gavin Newsom today suspended public water systems’ ability to disconnect water service to residences and critical infrastructure sector small businesses.
The Executive OrderPDF download issued today builds on the steps already taken by the California Public Utilities Commission for private water systems and more than 100 public water systems within the state that have adopted their own policies for not shutting off water service to residents facing financial distress during the health emergency.
California Secretary for Environmental Protection Jared Blumenfeld praised the Governor’s leadership in ensuring safe and affordable drinking water. “A lot of communities and families are having their water shut off,” Blumenfeld said. “This Executive Order allows for water to be turned back on and not shut off during this emergency – both residences and critical workforce small businesses.” The Secretary added that water shutoffs have created hardships, but “This will do a huge amount to change that.”
“Access to water and sanitation are critical to maintain in the midst of this public health crisis,” said State Water Resources Control Board Chair E. Joaquin Esquivel. “If individuals and families are cut off from running water or sanitation, the lack of access can compound the public health challenges we face.
“Many of our state’s public water agencies have shown incredible leadership by voluntarily providing these critical protections to their customers. This Order will ensure there is statewide protection for Californians as we remain in our homes and follow the guidance of our public health experts. These protections and the ongoing crisis may create challenges for our state’s public water systems, and the State Water Board is committed to working with agencies experiencing difficulties.”
In addition to a prohibition on residential and critical infrastructure sector small business water shutoffs, the Executive Order requires water systems to restore service to residences that were shut off for non-payment after the March 4, 2020, emergency proclamation. The Order also directs that State Water Board to identify ways to support water systems and their customers throughout the crisis.
To implement the Executive Order, the State Water Board is working on several interactive websites for water customers and drinking water systems. As soon as those portals are ready, they will be posted on the State Water Board’s website.
Please find some frequently asked questionsPDF download that respond to customer and utility questions.
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Nice. 10 million people go on unemployment in 2 weeks, and we gotta tell the water companies not to turn off the water…
I heard an 83 year old woman say that very 100 years, something like this is going to happen…
I say, this is something new, and, it’s historic.
I was wondering about late fees and shutoff penalties. My water company may not shutoff my water, but if I don’t pay I get locked in a monthly late fee trap? They just raised my late fee 4 times, I got the statement today! Should I just ask to be disconnected now and can they even do it? I was thinking of collecting rainwater I don’t want to owe 1000,s of dollars!
Dellib, that sounds worrying. Please try to reach out to them and ask what they can do to help. If they can’t, let me know.
I am not going to reach out to them, the Hydesville water dist has been assholes for years, it is only getting worse! I have been saving the statements. It seems that they just raised the late fee from $5 to $20. And the bill from $72 to $76!
How far are you behind?
Not yet. I have dealt with threats on my gate of shutoff 2 days after missed payment in 7 days. The organization is just assholes. I bought a 2500 gallon tank and an on demand pump and filters last month. Who knew we would evolve to this. My threat now is I have to figure out how to hook up everything to detach from the assholes.
Oh good ! Give the Water Board a HELPFUL TASK instead just being power-abusing goobers.
Its truly disturbing that they would even consider it acceptable to turn off during what has been deemed a crisis. Let alone a health/hygiene crisis.
Its also disturbing how quickly governments have forgotten the reason sanitation and sewers exist. Plus the important roles they have shared in preventing and stopping plagues of the past.
Yep, now ya’ll know how I feel when the Water Board tries to take my spring rights away… Townies! Anyways, they ain’t shutting off my water! They shouldn’t be shutting off anybody’s water or fining them! What a mess! People really need drinking water and basic sanitary conditions right now! So it’s good it is stopped!