Public speakers highlighted the Pure Water Southern California project, which is expected to reduce State Water Project demands by about 100,000 acre-feet annually, with formal board consideration expected soon. Carpenter union representatives raised concerns about the Sites Reservoir project potentially selecting an out-of-state contractor over qualified California firms. The General Manager transition continues as retiring Devin Upadhyay hands over leadership to incoming Shivaji Deshmukh.
The committee voted to recommend a $115.6M contract to rehabilitate Garvey Reservoir's damaged cover and liner, restoring critical system flexibility by summer 2028. Staff presented proposed partnership principles for the Pure Water Southern California program, indicating external partners would pay full project costs while member agencies receive water at melded rates. Field inspections highlighted urgent infrastructure needs for the aging Colorado River Aqueduct system.
DWR set an initial 10% State Water Project allocation, better than recent 5% starts, driven by stronger reservoir storage and with studies showing possible increases later. The Delta Conveyance Project’s preliminary cost estimate has dropped about $1.25 billion (6%) as design work evolves, and key permits and litigation are progressing. Staff also flagged concerns raised in public comment about the Sites Reservoir bid process and will meet with Sites Authority leadership.
The committee recommended $2.07 million in consulting and in‑house work to investigate a 230 kV transmission system built in the 1930s‑1950s and possible fiber‑optic integration. It also recommended awarding a $35.7 million construction contract, within a $42 million total budget, to replace aging utilities at two desert pumping plants, and backed a mitigation agreement with Intersect Power to address solar project impacts identified in a $300 million upgrade estimate to be refined.
The committee received updates on a stormwater pilot program with LA County that would increase turf replacement rebates to 75-100% in selected areas, though key details on budget and partnership terms remain pending and staff expect to return with an action item in early 2026. Webb Tract's rice farming component faces delays after lease negotiations fell through, likely pushing rice planting from 2026 to 2027. Colorado River basin states missed their November deadline for agreement on new...
