CA SB998

Requires urban and community water systems (serving more than 200 connections) to adopt written policies on residential water service discontinuation for nonpayment, available in English and other prevalent languages in their service areas.

Prohibits discontinuation of residential service until payment is delinquent for at least 60 days, and requires 7 business days' advance notice with information about payment plans, bill appeals, and options to avert disconnection.

Prevents disconnection if a customer has a medical certification showing disconnection poses serious health risk and household income is below 200% of federal poverty line, requiring the water system to offer payment arrangements instead.

Limits reconnection fees to $50 during normal hours (or actual cost if less) for low-income customers earning below 200% of federal poverty line, and requires waiver of interest charges once yearly for such customers.

Requires water systems to report annual discontinuations for inability to pay to the State Water Resources Control Board, which must post the information online; compliance required by February 1, 2020 for systems regulated by the Public Utilities Commission and April 1, 2020 for others.