CWC, along with our close partners Leadership Counsel and Clean Water Action, called on the Governor to act to 1) implement a statewide moratorium on water shutoffs, 2) reconnect any households who had already lost access to water due to nonpayment, and 3) provide emergency funding for bottled water programs and programs that help support our smallest water systems. We helped build a coalition of over 75 organizations in support of protecting communities’ access to safe water. We also lifted up community voices in the media. 

This led to a historic outcome! The Governor’s Executive Order for a moratorium on water shutoffs was announced on April 2.

What is included in the executive order?

The Executive Order includes an immediate statewide shutoff moratorium with no end date at this time. It also requires reconnections for anyone who has lost water due to non-payment beginning March 4, 2020.

What does this mean for me?

It means your water cannot be shut off if you’re unable to afford your water bill. If your water was disconnected on March 4 2020 or anytime after, your water provider must reconnect your water. If you do not have access to safe water, and live in the Central Coast, you can apply to an emergency bottled water program (https://www.communitywatercenter.org/centralcoastbottledwater)

Who is covered by the executive order?

The Executive Order applies to everyone in the State of California.

What should I do next?

If your water has been shut off since March 4, contact your water provider and also fill out this SWB form. You can use CWC’s Drinking Water Tool to look up your water provider.

Check out our resource page: https://www.communitywatercenter.org/covid19

If your water was shut off prior to March 4, please let us know!

What will CWC continue to push for?

• Immediate Needs
  • CWC will continue to push for reconnections for Californians whose water was shut off prior to March 4.
  • CWC will continue to push for enhanced emergency support for our smallest water systems, such as helping small water systems cover any major lost revenue gaps that threaten continuity of water service.
  • CWC will continue to push for bill forgiveness so low-income households aren’t hit with massive water bills in a few months that they can’t pay (and so then once again being at risk of water shutoffs).
• Longer Term Needs
  • CWC will continue to advocate for the need for a statewide water affordability low-income rate assistance program, to make sure all Californains can have the assistance they need to pay for their water bills. We have similar affordability programs for many other utilities like energy and even cellphones -- we need one for water too!

In the long term we will continue to fight for access to safe, clean, and affordable drinking water for all Californians. One priority for CWC in the future is to create a statewide low-income rate assistance program for water. But we will need your help because it will be a big fight!

Please follow CWC for the latest info! Twitter:‌‌ ‌@CWaterC‌ ‌‌| Facebook:‌‌ ‌@communitywatercenter‌