The California Water Association (CWA) has created this Resource Center as a central location for learning about the response by California’s regulated water utilities to the COVID-19 emergency, as well as other guidance and orders provided to regulated water utilities.
CWA Member Response to COVID-19
Links to CWA Member COVID-19 Web Pages
Summary of Response by CWA Members (April 3, 2020)
Largest Regulated Water Utilities Halt Water Shutoffs During Coronavirus Emergency (March 16, 2020)
California Public Utilities Commission
- COVID-19 Information page
- Letter Regarding Ensuring Essential Utility Services for Consumers to Assist in COVID-19 Mitigation (March 17, 2020)
- Business Continuity and COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) Response Plans (March 20, 2020)
- Letter to Class C, D Water and Sewer Utilities on Emergency Customer Protections to Support Customers Affected by the COVID-19 State of Emergency (March 26, 2020)
Mutual Aid
Executive Orders
- Executive Order N-28-20 Halting Utility Shut-offs (March 16, 2020)
- Executive Order N-33-20 Stay at Home Order/Identifies Essential Functions (March 19, 2020)
- Executive Order N-40-20 Providing Relief to California Small Businesses (March 30, 2020)
- Executive Order N-42-20 Halting Utility Shut-offs (April 2, 2020)
State Water Board Resources
- Webpage: COVID-19 Information for Public Water Systems and Affected Communities
- Fact Sheet on Drinking Water Systems (water quality and reliability)
- Considerations for Public Water Systems (Updated April 2, 2020)
- Implementation of Executive Order N-42-20: Guidelines and Best Practices for Water and Wastewater Systems
White Papers
- The Financial Impact of the COVID-19 Crisis on U.S. Drinking Water Utilities (AWWA and Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies) (April 14, 2020)
Water Utilities as an Essential Function
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security: Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce
- State Water Resources Control Board: Provision of Potable Water is an Essential Function
Water Utility Associations
- National Association of Water Companies COVID-19 Resource Center
- American Water Works Association COVID-19 Resource Page
Small Business Resources
- CA State Treasurer’s Small Business Resource List
- Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance
- Business Resources & SCORE Operations Update
- EDD Resources for Employees with Reduced Hours/Those Getting Laid Off
- Employee Paid Sick Leave Info
- Go-BIZ: Coronavirus-2019 | California
- CDC Guidance for Businesses and Employers
- OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
- Labor & Workforce Development Agency Guidance
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Coronavirus and Drinking Water and Wastewater
- Water Utility Resources for the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Water Utility Communication During Emergency Response
- Develop or Update a Drinking Water Utility Emergency Response Plan
- Resources for Small Public Water Systems Operators
- Incident Action Checklist—Pandemic Incidents
- Guidance for Small Community Water Systems on Risk and Resilience Assessments under America’s Water Infrastructure Act
World Health Organization
Water Provider Reopening Guidance
- COVID-19 Industry Guidance: Energy and Utilities (California Department of Public Health and Cal OSHA)
- COVID-19 Employer Playbook Supporting a Safer Environment for Workers and Customers (California Department of Public Health and Cal OSHA)
- COVID-19 General Checklist for Energy and Utilities Employers
Reopening Businesses
- CDC Guidelines for Businesses and Workplaces Reopening
- CDC Guidance for Reopening Buildings After Prolonged Shutdown or Reduced Operation
- U.S. EPA Information on Maintaining or Restoring Water Quality in Buildings with Low or No Use
- State Water Resources Control Board Guidance (under the “Communities” tab): Reactivating Buildings that Closed or Reduced Water Use
