California’s largest water agency endorses Delta tunnels

The new intakes and twin tunnels are estimated to cost USD 17bn, with the district covering 26 per cent of the financing.

“Every generation of Southern Californians has to reinvest in our water system to ensure a reliable water future. Today marks one of those historic votes that reaffirms that commitment and vision,” Metropolitan board chairman Randy Record said. “We simply must modernize and improve the reliability of our imported supplies as well as meet the needs of growth by developing more local supplies and extending conservation.”

MWD said about 30 per cent of the drinking water in Southern California comes from Northern California via the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. “The Delta's delivery system, however, is badly outdated, a problem compounded both by a declining ecosystem that is harmful to fish and a 1,100-mile levee system that is increasingly vulnerable to earthquakes, flooding, saltwater intrusion, climate change and environmental degradation.

The project calls for modernizing the delivery system by building three new intakes in the northern Delta along with two tunnels to carry water to the existing aqueduct system in the southern Delta.

“Given our size, Metropolitan is the anchor tenant for any successful California Water Fix, and this vote puts us on record as being ready and willing to participate. We still have a ways to go before we have a final, fully funded project, but this vote keeps Water Fix on the path to finding a viable and lasting solution,” Metropolitan general manager Jeffrey Kightlinger said.

In addition to MWD, Santa Clara Valley Water District board voted unanimously on October 17 to participate in the project.

California secretary for natural resources John Laird said, “We commend Santa Clara Valley Water District’s board members for taking action today to stabilize their water supply for generations to come. Their 7-0 vote adds to the momentum we’ve seen in the last two weeks as local agencies around the state have seen the value of Water Fix and formally voted to participate in the project.”

Among state water contractors the boards of Zone 7 Water Agency, Mojave Water Agency, San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency, Desert Water Agency, San Bernardino Municipal Water District, Crestline-Lake Arrowhead Water Agency and Kern County Water Agency have all voted to support the project.

Other agencies are scheduled to hold a vote. Following the votes by the participating water agencies to identify the initial level of investment, Metropolitan expects further deliberations to identify how to move forward with the proposed existing project, consider phasing the existing project or no project. Any additional level of investment by Metropolitan would require further action by the district’s board.