Public urged full $150M for Pure Water SoCal and flagged budget options that could reduce it. A calendar-year 2027–2028 rate hearing opened and closed with no staff presentation or figures. GM Deshmukh said Met submitted Colorado River draft EIS comments by the March 3 deadline and an interstate transfer info item will come in April.
Golden mussels have spread into Metropolitan facilities; control measures are underway but some sites (e.g., Live Oak) may be 12–18 months from protection. Directors asked for Camp for Water portfolio clarity ahead of the April budget timeline. Staff outlined ICER to coordinate reliability efforts feeding into Camp for Water.
The committee discussed Item 8-1 and heard a motion and second to defer authorization of the pilot, requesting more detail on equity, scalability, and barriers to MET running direct-install programs. Staff gave a CAMP for Water quarterly update and directors emphasized reliability and affordability.
Legislative outreach in Sacramento is underway to build support for SB 872, seeking greenhouse gas funds for subsidence and levee stabilization. A new Bay Delta vulnerabilities item was added to the March 24, 2026 Subcommittee on Imported Water agenda. March agendas include proposed committee restructuring and a $250,000 increase in Colorado River legal counsel contracts.
Colorado River negotiation strategy was discussed in closed session with no action taken. During public comment, a speaker said independent economists estimate Delta Conveyance Project costs could reach about 60 billion dollars and urged independent review. SB 827, co-sponsored by Delta advocates and water contractors, was described as supporting inner-Delta levee improvements for long-term water supply reliability.
