IACWA believes additional groundwater and surface water storage is needed to increase the flexibility of our water system, improve water quality at critical times, and respond to potential changes in California’s climate and rainfall pattern. ACWA’s Blueprint recommends that state and federal agencies complete feasibility studies now under way for several promising surface storage projects and move ahead with constructing those determined to be feasible. ACWA also recommends that the state partner with willing local and regional interests to develop local storage projects that allow groundwater and surface water to be used conjunctively.

Background

California relies on an elaborate network of water storage and delivery systems to supply cities, farms, businesses and the environment with adequate water year-round. Over time, demands on that system have grown even as regulatory requirements have constrained the timing and volume of water deliveries and compelled the release of stored water for fish species at times that may be less than optimal for water users and other species.

Additional storage would provide a valuable tool for meeting the needs of people and ecosystems. The groundwater and surface storage projects envisioned today would increase water system flexibility with minimal environmental impacts. And as evidence mounts that California’s climate is changing and a significant portion of our snow pack may be replaced with intensive rainfall events over the next few decades, additional storage will be critical to make up for lost storage, capture higher levels of peak runoff and facilitate programs that conjunctively manage surface water and groundwater.

ACWA’s Recommendations

ACWA recommends that state and federal agencies take a number of actions to develop additional groundwater and surface water storage to help meet the state’s needs for flexibility and reliable water supplies:

• Complete surface storage feasibility and technical studies on schedule and move ahead with constructing projects determined to be feasible. Several promising surface storage projects are under study, including proposed enlargement of Shasta Reservoir; proposed construction of Sites Reservoir; proposed expansion of Los Vaqueros Reservoir; and proposed development of storage in the Upper San Joaquin River basin.

• Develop financing for storage projects through cost-sharing agreements that recognize all benefits from the projects, including water supply and water quality improvements, flood control, power generation, recreation and environmental restoration.

• Partner with willing local and regional interests, when requested, to advance local and regional surface storage projects and groundwater management programs.

• Develop a less cumbersome process to apply for state funding for storage projects.

Other Recommendations

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

• Improve the existing Delta water conveyance system to increase flexibility and enhance water supply, water quality, levee stability and environmental protection in the near term.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.