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.
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.
