Urgent Water Pipeline Repair Prompts Conservation Alert for Santa Maria Residents

The City of Santa Maria has issued a water conservation alert after the temporary shutdown of the State Water Project pipeline. In a public statement, the City announced water supply will be restricted for Santa Maria residents. This pipeline generally delivers water for the daily usage of county residents. With the pipeline shutdown, the city will be using its limited groundwater resources to address daily needs.

Highlights

• On Tuesday, June 17, 2025, Santa Maria City Council issued a water conservation alert for its residents.
• The alert was issued following a planned emergency shutdown of the State Water Project pipeline, which imports water from all over California.
• City officials have asked residents to refrain from using water for non-essential purposes.

Water Pipeline Repair to Last Four Days

This planned emergency shutdown is being led by the Central Coast Water Authority and the California Department of Water Resources. The pipeline repair is estimated to take four days and will temporarily halt water supply to half the state of California. This poses a major challenge, as local water systems must meet demand during peak summer conditions.

Santa Maria officials have emphasized the need to remain mindful of their water usage through the advisory. They have advised residents to cut down on non-essential water usage.

Officials released a statement to the news providers on Tuesday stating, “The water we save today is the water we’ll have available tomorrow.”

Residents of Santa Maria have been urged to refrain from using water for the following activities:

• Watering lawns and gardens
• Washing vehicles and hard surfaces such as sidewalks, building exteriors, and driveways
• Running washing machines and dishwashers
• Long showers and any other activities that might entail high water usage.

The city is reportedly also halting watering of city parks and suspending fire department training and hydrant flushing. Nevertheless, the city has not restricted water usage mandatorily. However, stricter measures may take effect in case the city is unable to meet conservation goals. These efforts are being undertaken to ensure adequate water availability for emergencies and public health and safety.

For further information on the pipeline repair and related water conservation alerts, visit the official website or check the city’s official social media handles for advisories. Residents can also call (805) 925-0951 ext. 7270 for additional updates.

📅 Effective: Immediately
⏳ Duration: Approximately 4 Days
🚫 Please stop all non-essential water use

TIPS @SMUtilities https://t.co/rAo3f1gmFE

Effectivo: Inmediatamente
Duración: Aproximadamente 4 días
Restringir todo uso de agua no esencial, incluyendo pic.twitter.com/HPr7EqdO2U

— CityofSantaMariaCa (@City_SantaMaria) June 18, 2025