Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

What are water users being asked to do?

All SCV Water customers are being asked to work together and do their part to save water during the week of December 14-22, 2025, while some of the facilities at Castaic Lake are shut down for routine maintenance.

During that time, all outdoor water use should be completely turned off so available supplies can be reserved for indoor needs, health and safety, and emergencies. The shut-off request extends to all outdoor water uses including, but not limited to:

• irrigating personal landscapes or common areas in business parks or HOAs
• washing vehicles by hand
• filling or refilling pools
• using water for construction and other non-essential purposes
• any other major uses of water that can be postponed until the following week

Additionally, all SCV Water users are being asked to step up their conservation efforts wherever possible.

Not sure where to start? Visit our Conservation Resources page to find conservation tips, information on rebate programs, landscape workshops, irrigation help and other water-saving resources!

What is happening at Castaic Lake December 14-22, 2025?

Water infrastructure facilities at Castaic Lake will be undergoing needed maintenance, and as a result, water from Castaic Lake will be inaccessible. During the shutdown, the California Department of Resources (DWR) will be shutting down the piping that allows SCV Water to receive water from Castaic Lake so DWR crews can safely complete the work. SCV Water has no planned maintenance or repair work associated with this shutdown.

This infrastructure is part of the system that delivers water from Castaic Lake to SCV Water for treatment and distribution for urban use.

Why now?

SCV Water, DWR and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) coordinate efforts for maintenance and repair projects on the water conveyance systems at Castaic Lake when needed. This infrastructure is part of the system that delivers water from the Sierra Nevada Mountains through the California Aqueduct to Castaic Lake, then to SCV Water for treatment and distribution for urban use.

This maintenance work is typically done in the winter, when the days are shorter, the weather is cooler, and when irrigation demands are typically lower. Additionally, the maintenance is scheduled in two phases, December 2025 and February 2026, to ensure that the work can be completed smoothly, without placing unnecessary strain on our system or significantly affecting our customers’ water supply. Our goal is to continually provide all our customers with reliable water supplies.

This conservation initiative is not a reflection of our overall water supply. Rather, it's a response to the temporary disruption of water delivery while key infrastructure is taken out of service for repairs, maintenance and upgrades. Once the work is complete, water from Castaic Lake will be available again.

What can I do to prepare for the shutdown?

Plan ahead and use water wisely now. Here are a few things customers can do to prepare:

1. Irrigate your landscapes before December 14. SCV soils are typically clay, which absorbs water slowly and can cause runoff if overwatered. To prevent runoff, run your irrigation in several short cycles (usually 5 minutes or less), allowing about an hour between cycles for the water to soak in before repeating the cycle one to two more times.
   
   Most landscapes can go longer without water than you might expect. At this time of year, it’s common to water only one to two days per week during hot weather, and one day or less with normal winter conditions.
   
   And before you go to bed on Saturday, December 13, take a moment to shut off your outdoor irrigation valve and timer.

2. Check for and repair any noticeable leaks in and around your home or business.

   1. How to do a home leak investigation: https://youtu.be/W_xCndTSDbs

   2. How to fix a toilet leak: https://youtu.be/VQ66-n3GoKQ

 

Everyone plays an important role in using water wisely and saving it when they can, where they can.

Why does this maintenance matter?

Routine maintenance prevents costly emergency fixes, enhances safety, and keeps our water system running efficiently. Deferring maintenance, even temporarily, can lower system efficiency and increase the risk of infrastructure failure. A major emergency could disrupt water service for all SCV Water customers and lead to significantly higher repair and replacement costs. 

Municipal water systems operate 24/7, so annual maintenance of key infrastructure is essential. It helps extend infrastructure life, improve performance, and lower future repair costs, all while ensuring a reliable water supply.

The maintenance is scheduled for two phases, December 2025 and February 2026, to ensure that the work can be completed smoothly, without placing unnecessary strain on SCV Water’s system or significantly affecting customers’ water supply. 

Water Supply

Without the water from the lake, where will we get our water during the shutdown?

In addition to relying on local groundwater, SCV Water will have access to water in various reservoirs and tanks throughout the Santa Clarita Valley. All of our storage facilities are being filled in advance of the temporary shutdown of access to the lake's water.

Will there be enough water to get through the shutdown?

Yes, so long as all SCV Water customers do their part to conserve during this time. This initiative is not a reflection of our overall water supply. It's merely a response to temporary disruption of water delivery while key infrastructure is taken out of service for repairs and maintenance. Once the repairs and maintenance are complete, Castaic Lake's water will be available again.

What will our available water supplies be used for?

We all need to work together and do our part to save water during the shutdown. This means ALL SCV Water customers must conserve by refraining from ALL outdoor water use during the scheduled work. Available water supplies are only allocated for indoor use, health and safety needs, and emergencies.

Is there any chance we will run out of water while Castaic Lake is shutdown for maintenance?

With cooperation from our customers, we do not expect any supply issues. SCV Water is taking the necessary steps to prepare, so we can continue to serve our customers. Additionally, prior to the shutdown, all reservoirs and storage tanks will be topped off to ensure we have enough water to meet demands. We are asking all customers to refrain from all outdoor water use during this time to help make sure we get through the repair period without any major issues.

Water Quality

Why is my water harder than usual?

SCV Water serves a blend of imported water and groundwater, and the mix varies depending on your location in our water system. Groundwater is harder than imported water due to the naturally occurring minerals in our region. Since SCV Water does not have access to imported water during the shutdown December 14-22, 2025, 100% of the water customers are receiving is groundwater. Some customers may notice that the water served during this period is harder than normal if the area where they live was receiving imported water.

Landscaping

This is a long time to go without watering my landscape. Will my plants be okay?

Most landscape plantings can go longer than you think without irrigation. At this time of year, you would normally water your landscape 1 to 2 days per week if it is hot (and only 1 day or less if it is normal winter weather).

This may sound scary, but it is actually very hard to kill grass. Trust us – we’ve weathered a lengthy drought and have seen people try to kill grass for over a year with limited success. This week, your lawn may look a little “tired”, but it’s not going to die.

I just planted new landscaping that requires daily watering so it doesn't die. Do I still have to comply with the request not to irrigate?

We are asking all customers to refrain from irrigating during this time to help make sure we get through the repair period without any major issues. If it is hot and dry, plan ahead by running your irrigation in several short cycles (usually 5 minutes or less) on December 13, allowing about an hour between cycles for the water to soak in before repeating the cycle one to two more times.

Drinking Water

Is the groundwater safe to drink?

Yes, all water served, whether imported or groundwater, is in 100% compliance with all federal and state water quality regulations. Water quality samples are collected weekly, monthly, quarterly and annually under the direction and guidance of the State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water (DDW).

Billing/Water Rates

What type of repair work is being done, how much will it cost and who is paying for the repair work? Is it included in my water rates?

The project is being managed by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and is being funded by that agency. Ultimately, a proportional share of the cost would be passed on to SCV Water, which as sufficient funds budgeted to complete the project.

Will I get a discount for complying with the request not to irrigate, or will I receive a refund since I am being asked not to irrigate that week?

Water bills are based on the actual amount of water used. By not irrigating during this shutdown, your water bill will be lower than it would be if you irrigated during that time. But there is no additional discount or refund being given for complying with the request not to irrigate during this time.