Water Conservation banner

Water Conservation Portal - Low-Income Water Rate Assistance Program

  Information Center

COVID-19 Financial Impact Survey for Large Water Systems

Timeline

How to Fix Cell B40 or B44 (Instructions) (Video Tutorial)

Staff Workshop Notice
Wednesday, 11/18
Recorded Meeting

FAQ – Drinking Water COVID-19 Financial Impact Survey

Letters to support data collection efforts: Senator Bill Dodd | US Congress

List of 150 Large Water Systems selected at random for the survey

Blank COVID-19 Financial Impact Survey for LWS [Download Excel]

Contact: ORPP-WaterConservation@Waterboards.ca.gov

For water systems with less than 10,000 service connections, please visit:
COVID-19 Information for Public Water Systems and Affected Communities

NEW

Affordable Drinking Water - Low-Income Rate Assistance (LIRA) Program

The Low-Income Water Rate Assistance Act established through Assembly Bill 401 (Dodd, 2015) directs the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) to prepare a plan, in collaboration with the State Board of Equalization, that covers funding and implementation of a Low-Income Water Rate Assistance Program. This Plan is due by January 1, 2018. Additionally, AB 401 directs the State Water Board to report to the Legislature by February 1, 2018 on its findings regarding the feasibility, financial stability, and desired structure of the program, including any recommendations for legislative action.

Need for Affordable Drinking Water Assistance

Californian’s have a right to safe water. State policy through AB 685 (2012) aims to ensure universal access to water by declaring that “every human being has the right to safe, clean, affordable, and accessible water adequate for human consumption, cooking, and sanitary purposes.” However, water is becoming more expensive. California’s growing economy and population create continued demand for water. Meanwhile, drought and water leaks tighten available supplies. In addition, pipes and aging infrastructure result in expensive repairs or replacements. These conditions contribute to higher costs. The result is that more low-income households have unaffordable drinking water.

Program Plan and Legislative Report

As specified in AB 401, the Plan for a Low-Income Rate Assistance Program includes:

  • A description of the method for collecting moneys to support and implement the program, with a discussion of any constitutional restrictions on public water agency rate setting.
  • A description of the mechanism for providing funding assistance under the program. This could include direct credits to program participants, reimbursements to water service providers, a method for verifying income eligibility of low-income ratepayers, clarification of the role of the Public Utilities Commission and water utilities in determining and verifying customer eligibility, and recommendations regarding the structure of the program.
  • A description of the method to be used to determine the amount of moneys that may need to be collected from water ratepayers to fund the program.
  • A set of recommendations and best practices that cover cost-savings measures and aim to ensure that water utilities are keeping rates low.

The plan may also include:

  • A set of recommendations for other cost-effective methods of offering assistance to low-income water customers besides rate assistance, including billing alternatives, installation of water conservation devices, and leak repair.
  • The board may consider the Public Utilities Commission’s “Assessment of Water Utility Low-Income Assistance Programs.”

The report to the legislature will build off the process to develop a Low-Income Water Rate Assistance Program and include findings on the feasibility, financial stability, and desired structure of the program, including any recommendations for legislative action.

Documents

Legislation

Supporting documents

Public Process

2020

State Water Board & CPUC Joint Workshop on Water Affordability Impacts During COVID-19 (10/30/20)

2019

2018

2017

2016

Additional Resources

Other Workshops

 

___________________________________________
¹ “Low-income” refers to a household with income that is equal to or no greater than 200 percent of the federal poverty guideline level. For one-person households, program eligibility is based on two-person household guideline levels.

Contacts

  Subscribe to our Email List

Subscribe to our Water Affordability email list to receive notifications and the latest updates. After subscribing, you will need to check your email host for a confirmation email to complete the subscription.