California Construction News staff writer
The Delta Conveyance Project, a critical infrastructure initiative for California’s water system, reached a significant milestone last week with approval of $141 million in additional funding for planning and permitting.
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) serves 19 million people across six counties in Southern California. The district’s approval, along with similar votes from other major water agencies, now means that water agencies representing more than 21 million Californians — more than half the state’s population — have voiced their support for the Delta Conveyance Project.
“Thanks to today’s vote by the Metropolitan Water District, the Delta Conveyance Project now has the continued support of water agencies serving more than half our state,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom. “This project is one of the nation’s most important infrastructure projects in generations because it will protect access to clean and safe drinking water for 27 million Californians,” Newsom said in a statement.
“We’re building the momentum we need to build this project and others across the state, faster.”
Approval comes as California’s water supply system faces increasing strain due to climate change. The state has experienced erratic precipitation patterns, alternating between intense droughts and floods. These changes, combined with a shrinking Sierra Nevada snowpack, have made existing infrastructure less reliable.
Construction will improve California’s ability to capture and move water by constructing two new intakes in the northern Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and a tunnel connecting to the California Aqueduct via Bethany Reservoir. This will allow the state to better capture and store water during wet years, ensuring that excess water from major storms can be used during dry periods.
It will also help mitigate the risk posed by earthquakes in the Delta region. Estimates suggest there is a 72% chance of a magnitude 6.7 or larger earthquake occurring in the area by 2043, which could disrupt water deliveries to millions of Californians. The Delta Conveyance Project will offer a more resilient infrastructure, safeguarding the water supply in the event of such a disaster.
