SACRAMENTO COUNTY, Calif. — California is no stranger to drought, and for decades, the state's governors have been urging residents to conserve water. About 20 years ago, Assembly Bill 2572 was signed, requiring water suppliers to install water meters on all water connections by 2025. However, a water meter shortage is getting in the way of meeting that deadline.
As more people are moving to the Sacramento area, builders are experiencing a housing boom. However, the Building Industry Association (BIA), a non-profit representing homebuilders and developers, says there's been one problem after another following the pandemic.
"We started seeing supply chain issues, in general, starting in 2020, with the pandemic, and it's taken different shapes over time. And water meters are really just one of the more recent issues that we've faced," said Vance Jarrard, with the BIA.
Water meters are now hard to come by not only due to supply chain issues but an upcoming deadline. Back in 2004, AB-2572 was signed into law, requiring water meters on all water connections by 2025. The goal is to get people to conserve water, charging them a metered rate, rather than a flat fee.
"Everyone's looking to comply, but also additionally be part of water conservation efforts. That's the original need for a water meter is to make sure that homes aren't overusing water unnecessarily," said Jarrard.
Because of Sacramento's housing boom and concerns to keep up with demand, the Sacramento County Water Agency (SCWA) and the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors have come up with a temporary solution. They recently approved an ordinance to extend the deadline to still be in compliance with state law.
"If they find that they're in a shortage of water meters, they can pay a fee, and that fee will go to the Sacramento County Water Agencies. And what the Sacramento County Water Agency will do is, once the meters are available, they'll actually purchase and put the meters into the homes so that the developers continue to build," said Matt Robinson with SCWA.
While the shortage doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon, BIA will continue to find solutions with the county to make sure there isn't a delay in building new homes.
"Both sides are committed to solving the housing crisis, contributing to water conservation, and the solutions that help with those problems are best created together," said Jarrard.
Until water meters can be installed, homeowners within SCWA will be billed a flat rate until their water meters become available. There are more than 20 water companies within the county. In order to find out how your water company is complying with the water meter deadline, you can locate your water company through the county's website.
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