Cal Water news release

Water Shortage Contingency Plan Stage 2 in 5 Districts

Utility Hosting Online Public Meetings to Educate Customers on New Drought Measures, Conservation Programs

NewsIn light of worsening drought conditions and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s recent Executive Order, Cal Water requested on Friday, April 22, 2022, to move into Stage 2 of its Water Shortage Contingency Plan in its Chico, Marysville, Oroville, Stockton, and Willows Districts with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The utility will host public meetings the week of May 9 to educate those customers about what Stage 2 means, including outdoor watering limits and increased water waste penalties, and provide information on conservation programs and tools available to help customers reduce their water use.

The workshops will be held virtually at 5:30 p.m. at calwater.com/stage2 on the following dates:

  • Tuesday, May 10: Marysville
  • Wednesday, May 11: Chico, Oroville, and Willows
  • Thursday, May 12: Stockton

Cal Water representatives will provide details about the new irrigation restrictions as part of Stage 2 and discuss current prohibited uses of water. Some of the restrictions include:

  • Outdoor landscape irrigation is limited to two days per week between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 a.m., unless local ordinances state otherwise. Addresses ending in odd numbers may water on Tuesday and Saturday, while addresses that end in even numbers may water on Wednesday and Sunday.
  • All leaks, breaks, or other malfunctions in a customer’s plumbing fixtures and/or irrigation system must be repaired within five business days of written notification by Cal Water.
  • Vehicles may only be washed with a hose that has a shutoff nozzle or similar device.
  • Water may not be used on driveways or sidewalks, unless for health and safety purposes.
  • No watering of outdoor landscapes may occur during and within 48 hours after measurable rainfall, considered to be a quarter-inch.
  • Restaurants may only serve water upon request, and hotels and motels must provide guests with the option of not having towels and linens laundered daily.

At the meeting, representatives will also provide details about Cal Water’s industry-leading conservation programs to help save water, including:

  • Lawn-to-garden rebate of $3 per square foot of lawn removed and replaced with low-water use landscaping
  • Spray-to-drip rebate of $0.50 per square foot of landscaping converted from standard spray irrigation to a drip system
  • Rebates on high-efficiency appliances and devices, with certain rebates recently doubled
  • A free Smart Landscape Tune-Up Program that includes an irrigation system evaluation along with installation of efficient devices and repair of most irrigation leaks at no cost
  • A free conservation kit that includes a garden hose nozzle with shutoff valve, high-efficiency showerheads, faucet aerators, and more for residential customers

Program details and additional conservation resources can be found on calwater.com/conservation.

Customers will be receiving detailed information in the mail about Stage 2 and the meeting. The presentation will be available online at calwater.com/drought after the meeting. If approved by the CPUC, Cal Water’s application would become effective May 22, 2022.