By Charley Wilson, Executive Director, Southern California Water Coalition
Imagine your home – the pipes are old, the roof is leaking, and the foundation is cracking. You could walk away, start from scratch, or invest in repairs and upgrades to keep your home livable and valuable. This is the crossroads we face with our water infrastructure in Southern California.
For 40 years, the Southern California Water Coalition has been fighting for a water-resilient future. Today, we’re calling on all Southern Californians to join us in pushing for an “All-of-the-Above” strategy – a powerful combo of modernizing our state’s water system, water recycling, conservation, stormwater capture, and desalination.
Why Delta Conveyance Matters
The State Water Project is the backbone of Southern California’s water supply portfolio. Think of it as the main pipe bringing water to your home. We need to upgrade and invest in this critical infrastructure to keep the water flowing reliably. By doing so, we’ll secure a vital component of our water supply for future generations. The Delta Conveyance Project brings critical updates to this water system depended on by 27 million Californians.
The State Water Project is the MVP of our water infrastructure. It stores water in wet years, supports recycling projects, and enables groundwater recharge. Investing in the State Water Project and Delta Conveyance doesn’t just fix our infrastructure; it supercharges our alternative water strategies.
Right now, we don’t have all the facts to make informed decisions about the Delta Conveyance Project. We need to complete vital studies and evaluations to understand the true costs and benefits. This knowledge will empower our communities to make smart choices about our water resilience future.
Affordability: The Elephant in the Room
Let’s talk money. Enhancing our water supply and keeping it affordable means investing in both the State Water Project and local water supplies. If rate increases are needed to fund these critical studies, we’re all in. Our coalition is committed to keeping Southern Californians informed about the water issues we face and fighting for a reliable, affordable water supply.
Collaboration: Our Secret Weapon
At the Southern California Water Coalition, we believe in the power of “we” over “me.” Litigation isn’t the answer to our water challenges. We’ve spent decades bringing people together, finding common ground, and driving progress. Together, we can tackle any obstacle and secure our water future.
The Time to Act is Now
We’re at a make-or-break moment. We must push forward and invest in completing these crucial studies and evaluations. The next time this issue comes before the MWD Board, they need to have all the information to make informed decisions about our water future.