Department of Water Resources California: DWR Contact, State Water Project, Floods, Water Data and Programs
The California Department of Water Resources is a state agency, not a local water bill office. Use DWR for statewide water resources, State Water Project information, flood and drought resources, groundwater, dam safety, water data, grants, public records, education and public information. For a city water bill, start with your local city, county, water district or private utility instead.
State agency
DWR manages and protects California’s water resources, systems and infrastructure at the state level.
Not local billing
DWR usually does not handle household city water bills. Local providers handle customer billing.
State Water Project
DWR operates the State Water Project, a major water storage and delivery system across California.
Flood info
DWR lists flood incident and river forecast contact routes for statewide flood information.
Main Official California Department of Water Resources Links
California Department of Water Resources Contact, Phone Number, Address and Hours
Use these official DWR contact details for state water resources questions, public information, records, accessibility, flood information and statewide water program routing.
| Contact need | Official detail | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| DWR Headquarters phone | 916-653-5791 | General DWR headquarters routing and state water agency contact. |
| Street address | California Department of Water Resources, 715 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 | Headquarters location and map reference. |
| Mailing address | California Department of Water Resources, P.O. Box 942836, Sacramento, CA 94236-0001 | Mailing official correspondence to DWR. |
| Headquarters hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM; closed on state holidays. | Planning a call, delivery or contact during business hours. |
| Public Affairs | 916-653-1074 / media@water.ca.gov | News media, organizations and public information about DWR programs. |
| Public Records | Use DWR’s Public Records Request Portal; Office of General Counsel phone 916-902-7156. | Public Records Act requests and official document access. |
| Accessibility | accessibility@water.ca.gov / 916-653-6192 | Website or document accessibility support. |
Map shows California Department of Water Resources headquarters at 715 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. For official contact, use the DWR Contact page.
Does California DWR Handle My Water Bill?
Usually, no. The California Department of Water Resources is a state water resource and infrastructure agency. If you are trying to pay a household water bill, start with your local provider.
| Your need | Correct place to start | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Pay home water bill | City water department, local water district, county utility or private water company. | Local utilities bill customers directly. |
| Start/stop home water service | Local water provider serving your service address. | DWR does not open or close most residential water accounts. |
| Report local pipe leak | City 311, local public works or your water district emergency number. | Local crews handle local mains, meters and service lines. |
| Statewide water conditions | California Water Watch and DWR data resources. | DWR publishes state and regional water information. |
| Flood, dam, groundwater or SWP issue | DWR official program pages and contact routes. | These are state-level DWR responsibilities. |
What the California Department of Water Resources Does
DWR manages California’s water resources, systems and infrastructure, including the State Water Project. The agency’s responsibilities include floods, droughts, science, public education, infrastructure, power generation, dam safety, groundwater and water use efficiency.
Water Storage & Supply
DWR operates and maintains the State Water Project and supports sustainable groundwater management.
Flood and emergency management
DWR helps protect life and property from catastrophic events such as flood, drought, dam or levee failure.
Water use and efficiency
DWR assists agencies and individuals with agricultural and urban water conservation.
Dam safety
DWR engineers and engineering geologists review dam plans and oversee dam construction compliance through dam safety programs.
Groundwater management
DWR supports sustainable management of California’s underground water reserves.
Grants, data and education
DWR publishes water information, manages public resources and offers grant and loan programs for integrated water management activities.
California State Water Project: What It Is and Why It Matters
The State Water Project is one of the most important water infrastructure systems in California. DWR describes it as a multi-purpose water storage and delivery system with reservoirs, aqueducts, power and pumping plants, and recreational facilities.
| SWP fact | Official detail | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| System length | The SWP extends more than 705 miles. | It connects water storage and delivery across a large part of California. |
| People served | DWR says it delivers clean water to 27 million Californians. | Many cities and regions depend indirectly on SWP supplies. |
| Farmland served | DWR says it serves 750,000 acres of farmland. | It supports agriculture as well as municipal and industrial uses. |
| Primary benefits | Water supply delivery and flood control, plus power generation, recreation and environmental stewardship. | The SWP is more than an aqueduct; it is a statewide water, power, flood and recreation asset. |
| Climate planning | DWR describes adaptation planning for hotter, more extreme future conditions. | Future drought, flood, wildfire and climate risks affect water reliability. |
California Water Data, Water Conditions, Drought Resources and Conservation Tools
If you want water conditions, reservoir information, drought context or conservation advice, use official DWR and state-linked public tools instead of random summaries.
| Need | Official resource | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Current water conditions | California Water Watch | Statewide and local water conditions down to region and neighborhood level. |
| Conservation advice | Save Our Water | Indoor and outdoor water-saving tips for California households. |
| DWR reports and publications | DWR Library and document resources | Reports, publications, modeling resources, educational materials and public forms. |
| Flood conditions | Flood Management and Flood Operations Center | River forecasts, flood information and flood incident reporting contacts. |
| SWP reservoir and aqueduct information | State Water Project page and DWR data links | SWP maps, facility details and preliminary reservoir/aqueduct flow data references. |
California DWR Emergency Contacts: Floods, State Water Project and Hazardous Incidents
DWR’s Contact page lists different emergency contact routes depending on the issue. Use the correct line so your report reaches the right team.
| Emergency or urgent need | Official route | Use this when |
|---|---|---|
| Flood incident reporting | 916-574-2619 | You need to report a flood incident to the DWR Flood Operations Center. |
| River forecasts / flood information | 800-952-5530 | You need river forecasts, general water conditions or flood information. |
| State Water Project facility incident | 916-574-2714 | The incident or emergency is related to SWP facilities. |
| Hazardous materials / spills | 916-845-8911 | Reporting incidents to the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services State Warning Center. |
| Local water leak / broken water main | Your local city, county, 311, water district or utility emergency line. | The issue is a neighborhood pipe, meter, local main, sewer or street water leak. |
DWR Public Records, Careers, Grants, Procurement and Work-With-Us Resources
DWR is also a major state agency for public information, technical work, contracts, grants, real estate, procurement, careers and public records.
Public Records Act requests
DWR directs records requests to its Public Records Request Portal. The Office of General Counsel can be reached at 916-902-7156 for additional information.
Careers
DWR lists job opportunities in areas such as engineering, engineering geology, environmental science, fiscal, legal, information technology, communications and more.
Grants and loans
DWR offers grant and loan programs that support integrated water management and regional water solutions.
Procurement
DWR contracts for goods and services through official procurement processes and public notices.
Real estate
DWR’s real estate work supports temporary and permanent land rights connected to agency business goals and infrastructure needs.
Education and outreach
DWR provides education resources, publications, videos and public information about California water issues.
DWR Divisions, Offices, Field Divisions and Regional Offices
DWR is a large state agency. Its Divisions & Offices page says it has approximately 3,500 employees, 11 main divisions, 8 main offices, 5 field divisions, 4 regional offices and more than 800 programs, branches, sections and offices.
| DWR structure | Examples or official detail | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Main divisions | Includes program, engineering, environmental, safety, fiscal and other major operational divisions. | Helps route technical or program-specific questions. |
| Field divisions | Oroville, Delta, San Luis, San Joaquin and Southern. | Useful when your question relates to SWP facilities or regional operations. |
| Regional offices | Southern, South Central, Northern and North Central. | Helpful for regional water management questions. |
| Bay-Delta Office | Works on Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta water quality, supply reliability and ecosystem actions. | Important for Delta-related planning, modeling and regulatory questions. |
| Division of Engineering | Works on dams, reservoirs, bridges, canals, tunnels, pipelines, roads, pumping and powerplants. | Relevant for infrastructure and engineering questions. |
Common Mistakes When Searching for “Department of Water Resources California”
Many users search this phrase while trying to solve different problems. The fastest answer depends on whether you need state water information, a local bill, emergency reporting, public records, a job, grant funding or water data.
| Mistake | Why it creates confusion | Better action |
|---|---|---|
| Trying to pay a local water bill at DWR | DWR does not usually bill household customers. | Find the local city, county, water district or private utility printed on your bill. |
| Confusing DWR with Cal Water | California Water Service is a private water utility; DWR is a state agency. | Use the exact provider name on your water bill. |
| Using unofficial data summaries | Water data can be preliminary, technical or date-sensitive. | Use DWR pages, California Water Watch and official DWR data portals. |
| Calling DWR for a neighborhood leak | Local leaks are usually handled by local utilities or public works crews. | Call your city 311, water district or local emergency water number. |
| Submitting vague public records requests | Broad requests can take longer and may be harder to process. | Include project, date range, facility, county, report name and document type. |
Department of Water Resources California FAQs
These answers cover common searches about California DWR phone number, headquarters, programs, State Water Project, water data, flood reporting, public records, jobs and local water billing confusion.
QWhat is the California Department of Water Resources?
The California Department of Water Resources, also called DWR, is the state agency responsible for managing and protecting California’s water resources, systems and infrastructure.
QWhat is the official California DWR website?
The official website is water.ca.gov.
QWhat is the California Department of Water Resources phone number?
DWR Headquarters lists 916-653-5791 as the main phone number.
QWhere is California DWR headquarters?
DWR headquarters street address is California Department of Water Resources, 715 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.
QWhat is the DWR mailing address?
The mailing address is California Department of Water Resources, P.O. Box 942836, Sacramento, CA 94236-0001.
QWhat are DWR headquarters hours?
The DWR Contact page lists Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, with closure on state holidays.
QDoes DWR handle my city water bill?
Usually no. DWR is a state water resources agency. Local water bills are normally handled by your city, county, water district or private utility.
QWhat does California DWR do?
DWR manages water resources, systems and infrastructure, including the State Water Project. It also works on flood and drought response, dam safety, groundwater, water use efficiency, science, education, infrastructure, power and grants.
QWhat is the State Water Project?
The State Water Project is a multi-purpose water storage and delivery system operated by DWR. It includes reservoirs, aqueducts, pipelines, power and pumping plants, and recreational facilities.
QHow many people does the State Water Project serve?
DWR says the State Water Project delivers clean water to 27 million Californians and 750,000 acres of farmland.
QWho do I call to report a flood incident to DWR?
DWR lists 916-574-2619 for flood incident reporting.
QWhat number provides California river forecasts and flood information?
DWR lists 800-952-5530 for river forecasts, general water conditions and flood information.
QWho do I call for a State Water Project facility emergency?
DWR lists 916-574-2714 for incidents and emergencies related to State Water Project facilities.
QWhere can I find California water conditions?
Use California Water Watch for current local and statewide water conditions.
QWhere can I find California water conservation tips?
Use Save Our Water, a statewide water conservation program linked from CA.gov.
QHow do I submit a DWR public records request?
DWR directs users to its Public Records Request Portal from the Contact page. For additional information, the Office of General Counsel can be reached at 916-902-7156.
QHow do I contact DWR Public Affairs?
DWR Public Affairs can be reached at 916-653-1074 or media@water.ca.gov.
QWhere can I find DWR jobs?
Use the official DWR Careers page and California state career resources for current job openings.
QIs Water-Department.org the official California DWR website?
No. This is an independent guide. Official information, contacts, public records, data, program details and emergency routes must be confirmed through water.ca.gov and official California state resources.
Official Sources for California Department of Water Resources
Use these official sources for final confirmation before contacting DWR, researching California water conditions, reporting a flood incident, requesting records or looking for State Water Project information.
| Official source | Use it for | Open |
|---|---|---|
| California Department of Water Resources | Main official DWR website, programs, news, notices, library, portals, education and water resources. | Open DWR |
| DWR Contact | Headquarters address, phone, hours, Public Affairs, public records, emergency contacts and accessibility help. | Open contact page |
| CA.gov DWR Department Page | Official state directory listing, DWR description, phone, email and public services. | Open CA.gov page |
| What We Do | DWR responsibilities including floods, droughts, science, education, infrastructure, power and public safety. | Open What We Do |
| Programs | State Water Project, Bay Delta, California Water Plan, dam safety, flood management, groundwater and water use efficiency. | Open programs |
| State Water Project | SWP system details, benefits, operations, climate planning, maps and water delivery context. | Open SWP page |
| Flood Management | Flood incident reporting, river forecasts, flood data, planning, projects and flood resources. | Open flood management |
| Divisions & Offices | Agency structure, divisions, offices, field divisions, regional offices and program routing. | Open divisions |
| Careers | DWR job opportunities, classifications and state career information. | Open careers |
| Work With Us | Careers, real estate, procurement, grants, loans and working with DWR. | Open Work With Us |
| California Water Watch | Current local and statewide water conditions. | Open Water Watch |
| Save Our Water | California household water conservation tips and public conservation campaign resources. | Open Save Our Water |
Pay Smarter, Check High Bills, Start Service, Avoid Shutoff and Find Official Water Department Links
Use this free tool before paying a water bill, setting up autopay, starting or stopping service, checking a high bill, requesting leak help, or looking for the official water department portal. It gives practical next steps without collecting your account number or personal details.
What water bill or service problem do you need to solve?
Choose your situation. The tool will suggest the safest next step, what to prepare, and which official page to check first.
Start from the official water department, city, county or utility website before entering account details. Avoid random payment ads and look-alike bill pay sites.
Before paying a very unusual bill, check meter reads, toilet leaks, irrigation use, estimated bills, late fees, and whether your utility offers a leak adjustment.
Water Bill Payment Route Helper
Choose how you want to pay. The tool will tell you what to prepare and the safest payment path.
High Water Bill Checker
Compare your normal bill with the new bill and get a practical investigation path before calling customer service.
Leak Check and Adjustment Checklist
Use this before requesting a leak adjustment, disputing a bill, or calling the water department about high usage.
Start, Stop or Transfer Water Service Helper
Use this before moving, opening a new account, closing an old account, or transferring service to another address.
Past Due, Shutoff and Reconnection Helper
Use this if your account is late, disconnected, at risk of shutoff, or you need a payment plan or assistance program.
Simple Water Usage Cost Estimator
Estimate a rough bill from base charge, usage units, rate per unit, sewer charge, stormwater fee and service fees. Official tiered rates may be different.
Official Water Department Resource Finder
Enter city/utility and state to create safe searches for the official water bill portal, phone number, outage page, assistance, start service, leak adjustment, and Water-Department.org guide.
Water Department vs Payment Processor
- Water department: account help, service start/stop, leaks, repairs, shutoff, assistance.
- Payment processor: card/eCheck payment screen, payment fee, confirmation number, posting time.
Best sitewide placement
Add this tool after the main payment section or before FAQs. It helps users solve the next problem after reading the article.
Important safety note
This tool gives educational guidance only. Always confirm payment portals, phone numbers, account balance, assistance rules and reconnection steps with the official water department or utility.