Agenda Item Wording:
title
Water conservation implementation responsibility transition to California Water Service - Authorize staff to proceed with transitioning the State of California water conservation compliance implementation fully to the local water purveyor, California Water Service.
body
Agenda Date: 09/21/2026
Prepared by: Leslie B. Caviglia, City Manager, Leslie.caviglia@visalia.gov, 559-713-4332 Nick Bartsch, Public Works Director, nick.bartsch@visalia.gov, 559-713-4052
Department Recommendation: It is recommended the Visalia City Council authorize staff to begin to transition the responsibility for compliance with the State of California water conservation requirements to California Water Service (Cal Water), work with Cal Water to determine how the City can best work with Cal Water to educate citizens on the Company’s Water Shortage Continency Plan With Staged Mandatory Reductions And Drought Surcharges (see attachment). This could include modifying the City’s Water Conservation Ordinance to coordinate with the Cal Water regulations and programs, and understanding how to best inform Visalians on Cal Water’s adopted water conservation plan, conservation efforts and programs through Cal Water. The goal is to have the transition be fully effective on December 1, 2026.
Summary:
The State Water Resources Control Board implemented “Making Conservation a California Way of Life,” in January of 2025. This State framework establishes mandatory, individualized water use objectives for urban retail water suppliers, such as Cal Water, rather than regulating individual households directly. This regulation provides Cal Water with the responsibility and tools for meeting the State standards. The company adopted an Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) in June of 2026 which includes specific water conservation measures and funding that is intended to meet the State standards. A link to the plan is provided here: VIS_2025_UWMP.pdf <https://www.calwater.com/docs/uwmp2025/VIS_2025_UWMP.pdf> The Company recently notified the City that it will specifically be revising the water conservation portion of the Plan because of additional funding that has been provided to the company through a recent rate case. Company representatives have indicated that this funding, and the modified plan and actions required and implemented by Cal Water, should result in the Company’s Water Conservation Plan bringing the Visalia District into meeting State standards. They also indicated additional modifications to the Plan may be required for compliance. It seems to make sense to work with Cal Water on their Plan rather than continuing with the City’s conservation efforts. This may require some modifications to the City’s Water Conservation Ordinance. If Council approves this transition, Staff will work with Cal Water on Ordinance revisions.
More information on “Making Conservation a California Way of Life is available at: Making Conservation a California Way of Life Regulation | California State Water Resources Control Board <https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/conservation/regs/water_efficiency_legislation.html>.
The basics of the program mandated by the State Water Resources Control Board includes the following:
Key Standards and Requirements
• Water Use Budgets: Suppliers calculate targets based on residential indoor use, residential outdoor use, commercial/industrial/institutional irrigation, and potable reuse.
• Indoor Standards: Under Senate Bill 1157, indoor residential targets tighten to 47 gallons per person per day, moving toward 42 gallons per person per day by 2030. [<https://www.google.com/goto?url=CAESnQEB6zswFepUqdHGiFVyibbTPgFIxl6wiPhQSuZF7tRtgFE8fgsJVn3w3Z31QxJJy3CS-Oo3jZWC5ylq5zUCF_c9zx1yDYn9hflpIu1JqyjLi15h5nn7fELZ8WFFLSwiFy8_RcOaNrU4DssMT_3StHlESEJynZmf7PbHDlM2yAymb8HOxU9lBgvEhJHb1dYm2CaYBgUT96idK2qYgfda>]
• Prohibited Practices: Year-round statewide rules ban irrigation runoff onto sidewalks/streets, hosing down driveways without health/safety reasons, and vehicle washing with a hose lacking a shut-off nozzle.
Critical Timeline
• January 1, 2024: Urban retail water suppliers began submitting preliminary annual data reports.
• January 1, 2025: The "Making Conservation a California Way of Life" regulation officially went into effect.
• January 1, 2027: Mandatory state enforcement begins, requiring urban suppliers to annually demonstrate compliance with their unique water use objectives.
If the City Council approves this recommendation, Cal Water will be asked to make a presentation at an upcoming City Council meeting on their programs, their community outreach and implementation plans and the Company’s plans for complying with the State standards by the 2030 timeframe.
Staff would also bring back proposed changes to the Water Conservation Ordinance based on discussions with Cal Water.
Background Discussion:
City has a long history of active stewardship of the City’s water resources. The City Council adopted the Water Conservation Ordinance in 1989, which prohibits waste of water, and implemented Stage 3 mandatory watering restrictions in 1991. The City has had an active groundwater recharge program since 2005 and invested $140 million to upgrade its Water Conservation Plant to turn the City’s wastewater into high-quality recycled water. The City has planted low-water-use plants at its parks and landscapes and has installed smart irrigation controllers. California Water Service Company, the water provider, also has conservation programs that are funded through the fees paid by the local users.
Currently, the City of Visalia is involved in the Mid-Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA), as required State Law. The City was required to be part of a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) filed by January of 2020 which outlines how the City and others in the Mid-Kaweah GSA will bring the GSA into sustainability in the coming years, meaning that the amount of water used, and the amount of water the GSA brings in, must be in balance. The large groundwater level decrease is disconcerting.
In 1986, Visalia’s groundwater was just 25 feet below ground level. The most recent report from Cal Water listed the static groundwater level at 151 feet below ground level, the lowest level recorded in the City’s history.
The City is an active member of the Mid-Kaweah GSA and is in the midst of developing an Urban Water Management Strategy. Cal Water is participating in the development of this Strategy. While this effort is separate from the State’s Making Conservation in California A Way of Life program that Cal Water is responsible for implementing, both efforts are associated and both Cal Water and the City are working to coordinate efforts on both fronts.
Fiscal Impact including annual maintenance and operating costs: It is anticipated that this transition could save the City approximately $100,000 a year based on current expenses and revenues, but there may be some expenses during the transition.
Prior Council Action: N/A
Alternatives: To not make the transition and continue with the City’s Water Conservation program and implementation of the Water Conservation Ordinance and program.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorize staff to proceed with transitioning the State of California water conservation compliance implementation fully to the local water purveyor, California Water Service.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: N/A
Attachments: 1. Water Shortage Contingency Plan With Staged Mandatory Reductions And Drought Surcharges 2. Link to the Making Conservation in California A Way of Life is provided in the staff report 3. Link to Cal Waters 2025 Urban Water Management Plan is provided in the staff report 4. Water Table Chart
Strategic Goal: Indicates which City Strategic Goal(s) this item supports. Check all that apply.
|
☐ Economic Vitality |
☐  Organizational Excellence |
☐ Fiscal Strength |
☒  Infrastructure & Growth |
☐  Quality of Life |