Fixing California’s Aging Water Distribution System is Critical to Protect Coastal California's Water Reliability.
The Problem: The water distribution system that delivers water to millions of Central Coast homes and businesses is outdated and at risk of failing.
California’s Central Coast relies heavily on California’s main water distribution system, which brings water long distances from the Sierra Nevada Mountains through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to our homes and businesses through a system of aging levees, canals and pipes. On average, about 47% of the water for more than 1,157,000 Central Coast residents flows through this main water distribution system.
- 75% of Ventura County’s population of 645,000 residents living in the cities of Camarillo, Moorpark, Oxnard, Thousand Oaks and City of Ventura, receive nearly 20% of their water through this system.
- Approximately 12% of Santa Barbara County’s water supply for over 337,000 residents comes from this network.
- Nearly 100% of water supplies for the City of Simi Valley’s approximately 94,700 customers travels through this network before being delivered.
- Approximately 30% of water supplies for the City of Carpinteria’s 15,619 residents is sourced from the State Water Project.
- In 2025, it is estimated that 33% of the City of Oxnard’s water supply for over 200,000 residents comes from this network.
But this distribution system that delivers much needed water to the Central Coast is outdated and at risk of collapse in the event of a major earthquake or flood. This water delivery system needs to be modernized to better prepare for climate change and the resulting extreme droughts, severe floods, and increasing salinity in the Delta caused by rising sea levels.
The Solution: Support Governor Newsom’s single pipeline conveyance through the Delta.
The project would fortify water supplies for the Central Coast. It would:
Protect Water
Security
Protect water security for two-thirds of the state. Without action, water supplies through our main distribution infrastructure will continue to decrease.
Fix Aging
Infrastructure
Improve the reliability and security of our water system by fixing aging infrastructure using the most innovative technologies and engineering practices.
Protect From
Natural Disasters
Protect water supplies from earthquakes, floods and natural disasters by delivering them through a modern water pipeline, rather than solely through today’s deteriorating levee system.
Prepare For The Impacts
Of Climate Change
Prepare for the impacts of climate change by improving our ability to move and store water, recharge groundwater aquifers, and protect against salinity caused by sea-level rise.
Restore Habitats
and Natural Water Flows
Restore habitats and more natural water flows above ground in rivers and streams in order to reduce impacts on endangered fish and other wildlife.
Serve As A
Critical Component
Serve as a critical component of a comprehensive water portfolio.