State's Top Water Manager Urges Solutions for Delta Conveyance at Regional Roundtable
October 2, 2024
Department of Water Resources Director Karla Nemeth speaks at EMWD on October 1, 2024.
Perris, CA (October 3, 2024) — The future of California’s primary water supply delivery system was presented to regional leaders on Tuesday as Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) hosted the state’s top water manager for a roundtable discussion on the proposed Delta Conveyance Project (DCP).
Karla Nemeth, Director of the California Department of Water Resources, laid out the importance of investing in the DCP during a two-hour conversation attended by dozens of regional water, community, and civic leaders at EMWD’s headquarters.
“We have no better option than the one that is right in front of us today,” Nemeth said. “When the current system fails, it will be harder and more expensive than the current option.”
The call to action comes as the proposed DCP advances through the regulatory process and faces a critical vote by The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Board of Directors in December. That vote will determine if Metropolitan continues its financial support in the design and planning of the modernized conveyance system.
“When I think of the value of this project, it delivers additional surface water to the communities where it is needed,” Nemeth said. “Does California need this project? Absolutely. It allows the State Water Project to be more flexible and adaptable.”
For decades, the existing system in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta has faced mounting challenges that threaten the water supply reliability and water quality for the 27 million Californians that depend on the State Water Project (SWP) for at least a portion of their water supplies. This water also irrigates crops vital for global food supply. In fact, the SWP service area alone would rank as the world's eighth-largest economy.
The DCP would construct two intake facilities in the Sacramento River north of the Delta and an underground tunnel to convey the water to the existing SWP distribution system.
The current SWP pumps are in the south Delta, near the habitat for many endangered fish species. During wet years, pumping restrictions are often enacted because fish are drawn into the powerful pumps. The proposed plan would resolve those concerns. Additionally, the Delta has hundreds of miles of levees built more than a century ago that do not meet current engineering standards. A major earthquake could result in levee breaches, and the inflow of ocean salt water to the lower-lying Delta farmlands would render water supplies unusable for years. Moving the pumps north bypasses the risks of levee failures associated with seismic events.
Climate-induced changes have altered the way California must manage its water supply infrastructure. As the state experiences longer droughts and shorter periods of intense rainfall driven by atmospheric rivers, it must be able to capture and move large amounts of water in short periods. The DCP would enable it to do so and is a more affordable option compared to other water supply alternatives.
“EMWD is incredibly appreciative of the time Director Nemeth took to educate our region about this much-needed investment in our water supply future,” EMWD Board President Phil Paule said. “We are strong advocates for the Delta Conveyance Project and it is critical that we continue to move forward with a long-term solution to create a more secure and affordable water supply.”
EMWD is dependent on the SWP for approximately 30 percent of its water supplies. Because that water is very high quality and low salinity, it is the only imported water source that may be used for groundwater replenishment purposes.
EMWD has been a longtime supporter of modernizing infrastructure in the Delta to provide a more efficient and reliable delivery system to benefit all Californians. The DCP would not increase water rights for SWP contractors but would enable those agencies to maximize their legal allotments and move additional water into storage when its available.
The roundtable discussion also included comments from Nina Hawk, Metropolitan’s Chief of Bay Delta Resources, EMWD General Manager Joe Mouawad, and Miguel Angel Luna, who serves on the Board of Directors for both Metropolitan and the Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Authority.
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Eastern Municipal Water District is the water, wastewater service and recycled water provider to nearly one million people living and working within a 601-square mile service area in western Riverside County and northern San Diego County. It is California’s sixth-largest retail water agency, and its mission is “To deliver value to our diverse customers and the communities we serve by providing safe, reliable, economical and environmentally sustainable water, wastewater and recycled water services.” More information can be found at www.emwd.org.
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Kevin Pearson
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951-928-3777 Ext. 4219
pearsonk@emwd.org