LA Water Board Halts Utility Shutoffs

Los Angeles residents will not face utility shutoffs for nonpayment through the end of the year. The Board of Water and Power Commissioners voted Tuesday to suspend residential water and electricity disconnections immediately. This decision follows a recent surge in customer complaints about unusually high bills.

The board does not have the authority to forgive the charges. Customers still owe the money by year's end. Board President Allan Marks urged residents to enroll in existing programs that help cover rising costs. The move responds to widespread social media posts describing recent invoices as outrageous and insane.

Complaints accelerated over the past few weeks as summer charges arrived in mailboxes. Several residents addressed the board during Tuesday's meeting. They expressed shock at the amounts and called for a full audit of the Department of Water and Power. Marks agreed that the utility needs more transparency. He stated that public focus forces necessary change.

Data from the board's resolution shows the median electricity use rose by 15% to 20% during the most recent bimonthly billing period. This compares to the same period last year. Officials cited unusual weather conditions as a primary factor. The number of extreme heat warning days tripled, jumping from five in 2025 to 15 so far this year. Commissioner Benny Tran described the suspension as the floor of what the board can do, not a ceiling.

Ratepayers are questioning the utility's rate structure. Many argue that air conditioning is a lifeline rather than a luxury. Micah Reed, a San Fernando Valley resident, launched an online petition after receiving a DWP bill exceeding $3,300 for late July through late September. More than 39,000 people have signed the petition to demand an audit and relief.

The board-approved resolution includes a review of the electricity rate ordinance. DWP will develop recommendations to update this document. Marks noted that the current ordinance is outdated and has not changed in several years. Updating the ordinance requires City Council approval.

Mayor Karen Bass requested the suspension of disconnections for customers struggling to pay. She stated that Angelenos are opening bills they did not expect and cannot afford. Bass also called for an external, independent audit to explain how rates are calculated and justified. She wants the audit to examine rate design to protect ratepayers from unexpected spikes.

City Councilmember Nithya Raman appeared at the downtown DWP building shortly after the vote. She is running against Bass for mayor. Raman, accompanied by City Controller Kenneth Mejia, reiterated her call for an audit by the controller's office. She said she would ask Mejia to audit key government functions on her first day in office. She emphasized that DWP must justify increased costs to the council.

Mejia said his office has limited manpower for proactive audits. He noted that only eight auditors are available, allowing for two to three audits a year. He confirmed his office has begun investigating DWP due to the high bills. Mejia argued that the city needs constant, annual audits for proper transparency.

Base rates for water and power have remained unchanged since July 2019. However, pass-through adjustments can fluctuate annually to cover fuel or inflation costs. Timothy O'Connor, the city's independent ratepayer advocate, said the department is overdue for a rate update. He noted that Proposition 26 limits the utility's ability to charge for anything other than direct power costs. O'Connor's office applauded the audit calls, stating that LADWP needs a broader affordability strategy.

During the meeting, a disabled resident of Park La Brea shared her experience. She said her DWP bill jumped from about $150 to $900 for a two-bedroom apartment. She shares the home with her mother, who serves as her caretaker. They have limited income. She described the situation as a struggle for survival for many elderly residents in the area.