The Board certified the Environmental Impact Report for the Pure Water Southern California project, which will produce up to 150 million gallons per day of recycled water for approximately 500,000 homes. A public hearing was set for March 10, 2026, to consider proposed water rates for 2027-2028. An agricultural lease agreement for rice farming on District property was deferred.
The State Water Project allocation increased from 10% to 30% (approximately 570,000 acre-feet), though it remains subject to change based on hydrologic conditions. The Upper Colorado River Basin is tracking toward its driest year on record with snowpack at only 58% of median, complicating negotiations. Basin states face a February 14, 2026 deadline to reach consensus on post-2026 Colorado River operations, with major disagreements over how reductions should be shared.
A new special committee, formed in December 2025 and now holding its first meeting, focuses on agricultural and tribal partnerships, recognizing these communities as integral stakeholders rather than occasional partners. The district manages over 30,000 acres of farmland, yet a public commenter noted that few water efficiency incentive programs exist for the 10,000+ farms within the service area. The committee will identify partnership opportunities for mutual benefits in water reliability...
The board approved guiding principles for Pure Water Southern California partnerships, a major water recycling initiative that could eventually provide up to 150 million gallons per day and create 60,000 construction jobs with strong regional support. New Brown Act and SB 707 requirements will mandate hybrid meetings, multilingual agendas, and expanded remote participation options, with some provisions already effective and others starting July 1, 2026. Colorado River negotiations ...
The committee received the annual conservation report showing $1.7 billion invested and 8.88 million acre-feet of water conserved or developed since program inception. The enhanced turf replacement program has seen applications surge nearly tenfold to 2 million square feet monthly, though incentives will likely decrease as grant funding commits. Staff presented a new one-year alfalfa early retirement pilot for up to 5,000 acres in Palo Verde Valley.
