In semi-arid San Diego County, 3 million people and a $130 billion economy rely on a safe and reliable water supply. The San Diego County Water Authority, a member of SANDAG, is the agency responsible for importing up to 90 percent of the region’s water from the Los Angeles-based Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

This overdependence on a single provider places the San Diego region at risk of water cutbacks in the event of a drought. Just as investors diversify their portfolios to reduce financial risks, the County Water Authority is taking bold steps to reduce the risk of water shortages by diversifying the region’s water supply portfolio.

Water transfers figure prominently in the journey to diversification. Last fall, the Quantification Settlement Agreement (QSA) was signed by water agencies, the State of California, and the U.S. Department of the Interior. This landmark accord fundamentally changes the way Colorado River water is distributed and used in California. The QSA clears the way for two water transfers that will provide an additional 277,700 acre-feet of water annually to the San Diego region.

Another key diversification strategy is to develop more water within the region by expanding water recycling and developing groundwater. The Water Authority also is studying options to develop seawater desalination facilities. Recent technology advances make seawater desalination feasible and cost competitive with other new water supplies. This local, drought-proof supply could provide up to 15 percent of the region’s water needs by 2020.

Using existing water supplies more efficiently is another vital strategy in diversification. The Water Authority is expanding its highly successful water conservation programs to help residents and business people conserve this precious resource. These prudent investments in a diversified water supply portfolio will cut the region’s reliance on imported water from nearly 90 percent today to between 54 percent and 63 percent by 2020.

SANDAG has forecast a population increase of 1 million more people by the year 2030. In addition, the region will support 439,000 more jobs and 314,000 more housing units. The Water Authority is securing a safe and reliable water supply to enhance the San Diego region’s quality of life, and provide a critical resource for a sustainable and prosperous regional economy.

Project Manager: Shelby Tucker
(619) 699-1916