Water Agencies Across California Vote Affirmatively to Support the Delta Conveyance Project; Protect Critical Water Supply Against Climate Change
November 21, 2024
For Immediate Release: November 21, 2024
SACRAMENTO – Water agencies from across California are voting to invest in the Delta Conveyance Project, reaffirming the importance of modernizing California’s water infrastructure to ensure a reliable and safe water supply that can withstand the devastating effects of climate change. Recent reports show that California is expected to lose 10% of its water supply due to hotter and drier conditions, threatening the water supply for 27 million Californians.
Here’s what local water agency and district leaders said about this crucial vote for improving the region’s water security:
“This is one of the most important water infrastructure projects we will see in our lifetime,” EMWD Board President Phil Paule said. “As one of California’s leading water agencies, EMWD is fully supportive of the DCP, which will provide a more secure water supply future for our region and our state.”
“This is how government works best, by working together,” said SGPWA Board President Mickey Valdivia. “Without the Delta Conveyance Project, we risk not having enough water to serve the families and businesses in our communities. Now is the time to act. Delaying today would delay the future.”
“Water resiliency is key for the success of California’s dynamic and interconnected economy,” said San Bernardino Valley Board President Paul Kielhold. “San Bernardino Valley is grateful for the opportunity, with SGPWA, to lead the way in protecting this critical water infrastructure that will safeguard our statewide system against water shortages, emergencies, and drought.”
Below are the water districts and agencies that have voted to support the DCP:
- Alameda County Water District
- Coachella Valley Water District
- Crestline-Lake Arrowhead Water Agency
- Desert Water Agency
- Eastern Municipal Water District
- Mojave Water Agency
- Palmdale Water District
- San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District
- San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District
- San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency
- Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency
- Zone 7 Water Agency
Protecting California’s Water Future
More than two-thirds of Californians rely on a system of aging dirt levees, aqueducts, and pipes to deliver water from the Sierra Nevada Mountains through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to homes, farms, and businesses throughout the state. This aging system is outdated and at risk of collapse in the event of a major earthquake or flood. Modernizing this critical infrastructure is imperative to better prepare for climate change and the resulting extreme droughts, floods, and increasing salinity from rising sea levels.
The Delta Conveyance Project, supported by Californians for Water Security, aligns with Governor Newsom’s vision for a single pipeline conveyance system through the Delta. This investment ensures California’s water delivery system is built to meet today’s needs and the challenges of the future.
A recent Benefit/Cost analysis from the Department of Water Resources and Dr David Sunding demonstrates the urgent need to move forward with this critical project. For every dollar spent, California will receive $2.20 in benefits to the state. The report found that the cost of “doing nothing’ will cost the state billions of dollars and jeopardizes the water sources for millions of Californians and more than 750,000 acres of farmland.
About Californians for Water Security
CWS is a growing coalition of more than 12,000 California citizens and more than 80 organizations representing business leaders, labor, family farmers, local governments, water experts, infrastructure groups, taxpayer associations, and others who support the plan to fix California’s broken water distribution system. The coalition is waging an active advertising, grassroots lobbying, social media and public advocacy campaign to support this important project to fix our aging water distribution infrastructure and improve water reliability and security throughout the state.
For more information on Californians for Water Security, visit: www.watersecurityca.com