State Water Board seeking comment on proposed water restrictions

Elected officials and city staff are encouraged to participate in an upcoming public workshop 

The California State Water Resources Control Board is holding an Oct. 4 public workshop on draft regulations that would require cities to dramatically restrict water usage from 2025 onward. The state could intervene with water conservation orders and fines in cities that do not meet the proposed water reduction targets.

Over 200 cities are regulated urban water suppliers. Each of those cities has specific water reduction targets. These projected water reductions are coming too quickly for cities to implement.

Elected city officials and staff are strongly encouraged to provide public comments remotely or in person. The League of California Cities formed a working group shortly after the draft regulations were released this year to provide feedback to the State Water Board. However, as in the legislative arena, every city’s voice is crucial.

The Make Conservation a California Way of Life regulation combines residential indoor use, residential outdoor use, commercial, industrial, and institutional outdoor use, water loss in the conveyance system, and offsets, such as using recycled water. The draft regulation aims to reduce water usage by 500,000 acre-feet by 2030, a goal set by the state in its Water Supply Strategy.

An acre-foot is almost enough water to flood a football field one foot deep — enough water for two to three households annually.

Conserving and storing water is essential, especially as the climate change crisis worsens. However, this regulation would require significant data tracking and monitoring, as well as new local customer programs for various sectors, which could be costly. 

How to participate

The Oct. 4 workshop should start at 9:30 a.m., with public comment expected to start at 1:30 p.m. However, the State Water Board will prioritize public comment from elected officials — including city council members and mayors.

City officials should consider the feasibility of proposed restrictions for their community, possible impacts on water affordability, if their community is disadvantaged, and good water efficiency practices that are already occurring in their community when crafting their comments. City officials must complete a speaker card to participate remotely or in person.

Additional information about providing public comment on the State Water Board’s website. For more information, contact your water utility staff or Cal Cities Environmental Quality Lobbyist Melissa Sparks-Kranz.