Gavin Newsom issues a moratorium on water utility shutoffs during the coronavirus emergency

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday issued a moratorium on water utility shutoffs due to nonpayment.

The governor announced the moratorium during his daily press conference. The move drew praise from groups that had advocated for the decision.

“We’re very pleased that Governor Newsom has made the common-sense decision to halt water shutoffs in the state while we confront this overwhelming public health crisis. He must also ensure that water is restored to every home where it was previously cut off,” Food and Water Action California Director Alexandra Nagy said in a statement.

“When the first instruction to every Californian is ‘wash your hands often,’ it’s crazy to think that many residents of the state don’t have that option in their own homes. Access to clean, safe water is a right that every Californian should have, in times of heath crises and in normal times as well.

This executive order follows another that Newsom issued on March 16 that, in part, asks the California Public Utilities Commission to monitor measures taken by utility providers “to implement customer service protections for critical utilities,” including water.

Many water utilities, including the City of Sacramento, had already issued a voluntary suspension of water shutoffs due to the COVID-19 emergency.

Advocates expressed concern that drinking water is in short supply in some communities because of the way certain people have stockpiled groceries. In other places, they say, local utilities have not yet pledged to suspend water shutoffs for customers who are late paying bills.

“This is an issue that is already being felt in communities we’re working with,” said Jonathan Nelson, policy director for the Community Water Center. “The next billing cycle is just around the corner.”