Sustainability Reporting
Our annual sustainability reporting provides detailed updates on our strategy and the progress we have made on priority topics.
Protecting Our Planet
Our mission as a water utility is to treat, steward, and deliver the planet’s most precious resource efficiently, reliably, and responsibly. We are committed to reducing our environmental impact from the source to the tap. As climate change affects our planet, we invest in the long-term resilience of our water supply and infrastructure.
Climate Change
We believe climate change will continue to exert pressure on natural resources, including the water we depend on. Our approach to managing these pressures focuses on three imperatives: affordability of our water service, climate change mitigation, and climate change adaptation.
Energy & Emissions
We aim to boost operational efficiency, improve fleet sustainability through electrification, increase the use of renewable energy, and promote water conservation within our operations and among customers to reduce our GHG emissions. In 2024, we reduced absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 23.5% from a 2021 base year and reduced our emissions intensity by 33% from a 2021 base year.
Reliable Water Supply
We aim to deliver a reliable water supply to customers by protecting existing water sources and adjusting sourcing strategies to support long-term availability. We seek to maintain a steady and reliable supply by exploring alternative water sources that can withstand varied climatic and operational conditions. We plan across various climate scenarios and timeframes, invest in infrastructure, and continue to diversify water supplies.
Water System Resilience
To deliver high-quality water and wastewater, we must maintain reliable, resilient infrastructure that uses resources efficiently. We proactively seek to manage our assets and invest in our distribution and operation systems to help deliver safe, affordable drinking water and use energy wisely. In 2024, we invested a record $470 million in infrastructure projects.
End-Use Conservation
Using water sustainably helps preserve the supply for generations to come, save energy, and create fewer associated emissions. We promote water conservation through education and incentives for our customers. In 2024, we invested over $2 million to encourage water savings through water conservation rebates and programs. We estimate the investment will result in 52 million gallons of water saved annually by our California customers.
Environmental Management, Compliance, and Stewardship
We are committed to complying with all regulations for environmental quality, including those pertaining to water and wastewater operations. We manage environmental risks through regular assessments and audits by professional staff and expert consultants. Our stewardship activities include protecting local watersheds, sourcing sustainably, and managing waste responsibly.