CPUC Protects Havasu Water Customers, Ensures Safe Drinking Water

CA CPUC All News

Filed March 4th, 2026

Detected March 5th, 2026

Summary

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is taking action to protect Havasu Water Company customers and ensure safe drinking water. The CPUC is addressing a court order to relocate a pipeline by June 15, 2026, and has initiated formal action alleging management deficiencies that could lead to receivership.

View original document View source feed page

What changed

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is actively intervening in the operations of Havasu Water Company, which serves approximately 226 customers in San Bernardino County. Two critical issues are being addressed: a court order dated January 8, 2026, mandates the relocation of the company's Colorado River water pipeline off Chemehuevi Indian Tribe land by June 15, 2026. Failure to comply would require the company to find an alternative water source. Concurrently, the CPUC's Consumer Protection and Enforcement Division has alleged longstanding management deficiencies and operational failures posing health and safety risks, leading to a proposed order that could result in the CPUC petitioning for the company's receivership.

Regulated entities, particularly water utilities, should note the CPUC's proactive stance on ensuring service continuity and compliance with drinking water standards, even when facing court-ordered infrastructure changes or severe operational failures. For Havasu Water Company, the immediate operational focus must be on the pipeline relocation by the June 15, 2026 deadline. The potential for receivership highlights the severe consequences of persistent non-compliance, including loss of operational control. The CPUC is coordinating with federal, state, and tribal partners to manage contingencies and ensure customer protection.

What to do next

Ensure Havasu Water Company's Colorado River pipeline relocation is completed by June 15, 2026.
Identify and evaluate potential alternative water sources if pipeline relocation is not feasible.
Monitor the CPUC's proposed order regarding receivership and its potential impact on utility operations.

Penalties

Potential receivership of Havasu Water Company if proposed order is approved and court petition is granted.

Source document (simplified)

CPUC Update on Havasu Water Company

Featured Story

March 04, 2026 -

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is actively working to protect customers of Havasu Water Company and ensure continued access to safe and reliable drinking water for the approximately 226 customers the company serves in the unincorporated community of Havasu Lake in San Bernardino County.

Havasu Water Company has a legal obligation to provide safe, reliable water service to its customers. The CPUC is addressing two significant and urgent issues affecting the company’s operations.

1. Court Order Requiring Relocation of Colorado River Pipeline

Havasu Water Company currently draws its water supply from the Colorado River. The company’s pipeline transporting this water crosses land belonging to the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe.

On January 8, 2026, a court ordered the company to relocate its pipeline off Tribal land by June 15, 2026. If the company is unable to relocate the pipeline by that date, it would be required to cease using its current infrastructure and identify an alternative source of water.

The CPUC is working closely with Havasu Water Company and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to identify and evaluate potential alternative water sources. The priority is to ensure uninterrupted water service and continued compliance with all state and federal drinking water standards.

The CPUC understands the critical importance of a stable water supply and is coordinating with relevant agencies and stakeholders to plan for contingencies should the pipeline relocation not be completed in time.

2. Safe and Reliable Water

Separate from the court proceeding, the CPUC has also taken formal action in response to Havasu Water Company’s alleged history of noncompliance with CPUC rules and regulations related to the company providing safe and reliable water to its customers.

The CPUC’s Consumer Protection and Enforcement Division have alleged longstanding management deficiencies and operational failures that have resulted in health and safety risks to customers.

An Administrative Law Judge recently issued a proposed order that, if approved by the CPUC’s Commissioners, would authorize the CPUC to petition the California Superior Court to place Havasu Water Company into receivership. A receivership is a court-supervised process in which an independent third party (a receiver) is appointed to take control of the utility’s operations. The receiver’s role is to stabilize the system, address regulatory violations, ensure compliance with drinking water standards, and make necessary operational and infrastructure improvements. The CPUC seeks receivership only when other regulatory tools have failed to achieve compliance and when public health and safety are at risk. The goal of a receivership would be to restore reliable service, ensure proper management, and protect customers.

Documents relating to the CPUC’s investigation of Havasu Water Company are available on the Docket Card for the proceeding. Public comments can be submitted via the Docket Card, and the public can subscribe for free to receive documents via email.

Commitment to Customers

The CPUC recognizes that Havasu Water Company customers depend on safe, reliable drinking water every day. The CPUC is committed to:

Protecting public health and safety
Ensuring continuity of water service
Coordinating with federal, state, local, and Tribal partners
Holding utilities accountable to their legal and regulatory obligations

The CPUC will continue to provide updates as developments occur and remains focused on achieving a stable, long-term solution for the Havasu Lake community.

Customers can contact the CPUC’s Public Advisor’s Office with questions.