Resources Related to the Water Shutoff Protection Act (SB 998)

Need help paying a water bill?

• The California Department of Community Services and Development’s (CSD) Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) may be able to cover a low-income customer’s drinking water debt, wastewater debt, and stormwater debt up to the amount of $15,000 (one time). To apply, go to CDS Water Bill webpage.

Is your water provider or utility provider violating the law?

• Send a report to the Department of Justice at Consumer Complaint Against a Business/Company.
• On October 26, 2022, Attorney General Rob Bonta instructed water systems to immediately cease all water shutoffs that do not comply with the Act. Water systems that have not yet adopted compliant policies and made them available to the public must do so immediately. Additional information is below:
  • Press Release
  • Legal Alert
  • Customer Alert

Want to report a water shutoff?
You should consider submitting a report to the State database if you experienced:

• a water shutoff due to non-payment,
• if you had issues with reconnection,
• if no alternative payment plan was made available to you, or
• if you have other water shutoff related issues

Submit a water shutoff report: Water Shutoff - State of California

Legislation
Senate Bill 998 (Dodd, 2018)

FAQs
Water Shutoff Protection Act FAQs (SB 998, Dodd 2018)

SB 998 Water Shutoff Data
To view the number of annual discontinuations of residential services for inability to pay on the urban and community water system, go to Electronic Annual Report (eAR). Under the Learn More section, expand the eAR Data Downloads and select a file within the eAR Reporting Years (RY) section of the eAR Data Library.