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5 Critical Updates From The City Of Long Beach Water Department (Long Beach Utilities) For 2025

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The City of Long Beach Water Department, now officially known as the Long Beach Utilities Department (LBUD), is undergoing significant transformations as of December 19, 2025. These changes directly impact every resident and business, covering everything from your monthly bill to the quality of the water flowing from your tap. This deep-dive article provides the most current and essential information, focusing on the newly approved rate adjustments, key infrastructure projects, and the latest water quality report findings that define the utility's direction for Fiscal Year 2025/2026.

The core mission of Long Beach Utilities remains to provide reliable, high-quality water and sewer services, but achieving this requires continuous investment and strategic planning. The most recent updates center on a crucial Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and new water rates, which are designed to support the modernization of aging infrastructure and bolster local water supplies against regional challenges like drought and climate change. Understanding these updates is key to being an informed utility customer in Long Beach.

The New Era: Long Beach Utilities Department (LBUD)

The entity responsible for managing the city's vital water, sewer, and natural gas services is the Long Beach Utilities Department (LBUD). This department operates under the oversight of the Long Beach Board of Water Commissioners, ensuring that all policies and financial decisions align with the long-term sustainability of the city's resources. The department’s transition and focus on integrated utilities management highlight a commitment to efficiency and comprehensive infrastructure renewal.

A major focus for LBUD in late 2024 and 2025 has been the approval of necessary rate increases. These adjustments are not arbitrary; they are a direct response to the need for critical, large-scale infrastructure investments. The Utilities Commission approved these rate increases specifically to fund the Capital Improvement Program, ensuring the city’s water and sewer systems remain reliable and safe for decades to come.

Your 2025 Water Bill: Understanding the Latest Rate Changes

Long Beach residents should be aware of the new rate structure approved to take effect in the near future. While the city historically boasts some of the lowest combined water, sewer, and natural gas rates compared to other major California cities, strategic increases are necessary to maintain this high level of service.

Key Water Rate Adjustments Effective October 1, 2025 (FY 26*)

The Utilities Commission approved a multi-year rate increase to support the massive infrastructure upgrades outlined in the CIP. These increases are structured to be fair and encourage conservation. The new volumetric rates, effective October 1, 2025, show clear adjustments across all tiers:

  • Tier IA: Remains at $0.000 (No change).
  • Tier IB: Increases from $3.102 to $3.474.
  • Tier II: Significant adjustments are applied to this tier to reflect the cost of securing and delivering water.

These adjustments ensure that the utility can cover the rising costs of water procurement, treatment, and the extensive maintenance of the distribution system. For the average resident, the increase supports a secure water future, mitigating the risks of system failure and ensuring compliance with stringent regulatory standards.

The Future of Water: Major Capital Improvement Projects (FY 2024/2025)

The Long Beach Utilities Department’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for Fiscal Year 2024/2025 is a multi-million dollar commitment to modernizing the city’s aging water and sewer infrastructure. This program is the backbone of LBUD’s reliability and sustainability strategy.

Focus on Local Water Supply and Infrastructure

A major component of the current CIP is the focus on maximizing local groundwater supplies and reducing reliance on imported water, which is a critical strategy for water resource resilience.

  • New Water Supply Wells: LBUD is actively drilling two new water supply wells at Stearns Champion Park—Alamitos 9A and Alamitos 14. These projects are essential for boosting the city's local groundwater production capacity, a vital step in securing a stable water future.
  • Large Valve Replacement (EO-3637): This ongoing project addresses the replacement of critical, large-diameter valves within the water distribution system. Functional valves are crucial for isolating sections of the water system during emergencies or maintenance, minimizing service disruptions to customers.
  • Water Distribution System Master Plan Implementation: LBUD is continuing to execute the recommendations from its 2020 Master Plan, which provides a comprehensive guide for improving and maintaining the water distribution system through various targeted projects.

Water Quality and Conservation: What You Need to Know

Long Beach Utilities consistently provides exceptional drinking water quality, a fact that is rigorously documented in their annual reports. Customers are strongly encouraged to review the latest findings to understand where their water comes from and how it is treated.

The 2024 Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report)

The most recent Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) details the extensive testing performed by LBUD throughout the 2024 calendar year. This report confirms that the city's drinking water meets or exceeds all state and federal health standards. The report, published on July 1, 2025, is the definitive source for information on all regulated contaminants and water sources.

LBUD's commitment to quality involves extensive monitoring at every groundwater well and continuous testing throughout the distribution system. This proactive approach ensures that the water remains safe from the source to the tap.

Strategic Conservation and Resource Management

Conservation remains a priority, and LBUD is actively updating its Water Resources strategy. The goal is a multi-pronged approach that includes increasing opportunities for recycled water use and maximizing the efficiency of local groundwater sources.

The city encourages all residents to participate in water-saving programs and utilize the resources provided by the department to reduce their water footprint. By focusing on local resource development and conservation, Long Beach is building resilience against future water supply challenges that face the entire Southern California region.

Summary of Essential Long Beach Utilities Entities and Keywords

To ensure you are accessing the correct and most current information, here is a list of key entities and related terms for the Long Beach Utilities Department:

  • Long Beach Utilities Department (LBUD)
  • Long Beach Board of Water Commissioners
  • Capital Improvement Program (CIP) FY 2024/25
  • 2024 Water Quality Report (CCR)
  • Water Rates Effective October 1, 2025
  • Water Distribution System Master Plan
  • Alamitos 9A and Alamitos 14 Water Supply Wells
  • Volumetric Tier Structure

Staying informed about these updates is crucial for all Long Beach stakeholders. The strategic investments in infrastructure and the focus on local water sources demonstrate LBUD's long-term commitment to providing a secure and high-quality utility service for the community.

5 Critical Updates from the City of Long Beach Water Department (Long Beach Utilities) for 2025
city of long beach water department
city of long beach water department

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