Cal Water presents infrastructure plan, outlines proposed rate impacts for Carson service area

Representatives from California Water Service (Cal Water) gave a public presentation at the Jan. 21 council meeting explaining their Rancho Dominguez/Carson infrastructure investment plan and the related rate filing with the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC).

Cal Water officials said the company serves about 2 million Californians statewide and highlighted local assets: roughly 160 miles of mains in the Carson area, six wells, 13 storage tanks and about 1,500 fire hydrants. They described planned work in Carson that includes replacing more than 22,000 feet of water main, pump replacements, a new well and rehabilitation of an existing well. Company staff said the proposal represents about 48% of the region's planned replacements and tied the work to long-term reliability.

Why it matters: Cal Water told the council the company invested $1.5 billion across its system between 2013 and 2022 and that infrastructure replacement prevents emergencies and reduces long-term costs. The company said conservation programs and a customer assistance program are intended to reduce bill impacts for lower-usage customers.

Rate effects and process: Cal Water said the utility had filed an Infrastructure Investment Plan with the PUC; public participation hearings are planned (published notices to customers list 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. sessions). Staff said for a "typical" Carson residential customer using about 7 CCF per month the company's proposal would produce a first-year reduction of roughly $0.34 in 2026, followed by increases in years 2 and 3 (roughly $3.29 and $3.31 monthly increases in the two subsequent years under the company's proposal). Cal Water representatives emphasized the PUC process: the company proposes rates and the commission and its independent California Public Advocates Office review and may modify the request.

Local comment and next steps: Council members asked questions about outreach, conservation programs (turf replacement, smart landscape tune-ups), timelines and customer assistance. Cal Water representatives gave contact information for public outreach and urged customers to participate in the PUC public participation hearings. Council staff said the city is a party to the proceeding and would continue to track the filing.

Quotable: "We want safe, reliable water service that is affordable," said Cal Water director of government and community affairs Kevin McCusker, framing the company's research linking conservation to long-term cost control.

The presentation requested no council action; it was informational and council members did not take a vote.