Carlsbad Municipal Water District code revisions introduced; residential shutoff policy updated to reflect state law

The Carlsbad City Council, serving as the Carlsbad Municipal Water District (CMWD) Board of Directors, unanimously moved to introduce an ordinance that would amend Title 1 and repeal and replace Title 2 of the CMWD code and adopt a resolution updating the district's residential water service shutoff protection policy.

CMWD staff — including Assistant Utilities Director Dave Padilla and General Manager Amanda Flessey — described code changes that update definitions and shift certain approval authorities between the deputy city manager for public works, the executive manager and the CMWD general manager to reflect current practice. Revisions clarified charges for construction and fire‑service meters, removed a deposit requirement for meter examination requests, and adjusted timelines and rules for developer reimbursement agreements (revising reimbursement eligibility to seven years from the agreement date or five years after district acceptance of a completed facility).

Staff also reviewed updates to the district's residential water service shutoff protection policy. In response to Senate Bill 3 (state law), CMWD updated the policy to expand alternate payment arrangement options to all residents (previously limited to customers demonstrating medical or financial hardship). The policy describes when the district may or may not shut off potable water service for nonpayment and notifies customers of rights and options prior to shutoff.

Council had no public speakers on the item, moved introduction and adoption of the resolution, and voted unanimously to introduce the ordinance for later consideration and to adopt the resolution updating the shutoff protection policy. Staff said they will return to the board for adoption of Title 2 revisions at a future meeting, and plan further amendments to cross‑connection control and Title 3.