The Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta is the single most important link in California’s water supply system. ACWA’s Blueprint calls for critically needed actions to protect water supplies, water quality, levee stability and ecosystem health in the Delta in the near term and into the future.

Background

Two of the state’s largest water projects – the State Water Project (SWP) and the federal Central Valley Project (CVP) – convey water through the Delta to more than 22 million Californians and 7 million acres of highly productive farmland. More than 80% of the state’s commercial salmon fisheries and other key species also rely on the Delta for habitat.

Recognizing that improvements are needed to make the existing Delta water conveyance system perform better for both water users and the environment, the CALFED Bay-Delta Program has developed a coordinated set of actions to improve water supply, water quality, levee stability and ecosystem restoration. The actions, known collectively as the Delta Improvements Package, are currently undergoing environmental review by the Department of Water Resources and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

Beyond the immediate need for those improvements, the Delta faces threats to its long-term viability as a water supply source and an ecosystem. Risks posed by levee instability, land subsidence, major flood events, rising sea levels and earthquakes together make the Delta increasingly vulnerable as a long-term water conveyance system and could imperil the water supply for the much of the state.

ACWA’s Recommendations

To address the Delta, ACWA recommends the following actions as part of a comprehensive action plan to ensure California has the water supply system it will need to support cities, farms and the environment in the future:

• Improve the existing Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta water conveyance system to increase flexibility and enhance water supply, water quality, levee stability and environmental protection in the near term. ACWA recommends that state and federal agencies complete environmental reviews now underway, vigorously defend against litigation challenging the actions, and implement the Delta Improvements Package in a timely way.

• Evaluate long-term threats to the Delta levee and conveyance system and pursue actions to reduce risks to the state’s water supply and the environment. ACWA strongly recommends that the Governor appoint a Blue Ribbon Commission to evaluate the Delta’s long-term vulnerability and recommend actions to reduce risks to the state’s water supply, agricultural resources and the environment. Elected leaders and policy makers must being addressing these risks now before a major disruption takes place and California has little choice but to act on an emergency basis.

Other Recommendations

In addition to the Delta-related actions, ACWA recommends that state and federal leaders take a number of the actions to ensure California can meet its water needs in the future.

• Ensure delivery of adequate Colorado River supplies for Southern California and defend California’s rights on the Colorado River.
  

• Implement and fund the Sacramento Valley Water Management Program.
  

• Develop additional groundwater and surface water storage, including proposed surface storage projects now under study if they are determined to be feasible.
  

• Support and fund local efforts to expand recycled water use and implement best management practices for urban and agricultural water use efficiency.
  

• Improve the quality of California’s drinking water supplies to safeguard public health and enhance water quality for agriculture and the environment.
  

• Work with local agencies to overcome constraints to developing seawater and brackish groundwater desalination.
  

• Modernize the federal Endangered Species Act and other laws and regulations to allow water infrastructure projects, water supply and water quality activities to proceed while protecting species and habitats.
  

• Expedite the approval process for voluntary water transfers.
  

• Clarify and expand the state’s role in flood control and promote multi-benefit flood control projects.
  

• Support integrated regional water management plans.

About the Blueprint

ACWA’s Blueprint reflects extensive input from hundreds of public water agencies charged with delivering water to cities, farms and communities throughout the state. In addition to the recommended actions, the Blueprint includes a detailed discussion of pressing regional needs and actions to help address them. For more on the Blueprint, see www.acwa.com.