Fixing California’s Aging Water Distribution System is Critical to Protect Southern California's Water Reliability.
The Problem: The water distribution system that delivers water to millions of Southern California homes and businesses is outdated and at risk of failing.
Southern California 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 homes, farms and businesses throughout the state. On average, about 30% of the water for more than 19 million Southern California residents flows through this main water distribution system.
- LA Department of Water and Power, serving 4 million residents in the City of Los Angeles, imports as much as 42% of water supplies through this system.
- On average 50% of Orange County’s total water supply for more than 2.3 million residents is delivered through this aging network.
- 30% of water supplies for the City of Long Beach’s 500,000 residents are delivered through this system.
- Palmdale Water District imports 55% of its water from the State Water Project, serving a population of 127,000.
- 69% of Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency’s water to serve it’s 278,000 residents is imported from the State Water Project.
- 100% of Southern California's 6-month emergency water supply stored in Diamond Valley Lake is delivered through this network.
But this distribution system that delivers much needed water to Southern California is outdated and at risk of collapse in the event of a major earthquake or flood.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. Adding additional points of diversion improves the ability of the State Water Project to efficiently capture, move and store water when it is available, especially in the face of unstable future conditions.
The Solution: Support Governor Newsom’s single pipeline conveyance through the Delta.
The project would fortify water supplies for Southern California. 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 safety and reliability 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.