Why We Need the California Water Fix *Event* *Date* Introduction October 2016

The Sacramento –San Joaquin Delta The hub of California’s water system is the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. More than 25 million Californians and millions of acres of farmland rely on the Delta for all or part of their water supply. Many animal, fish and plant species depend on it for their habitat. Just a few miles south of Sacramento, two of California’s major rivers converge to form one of the most important features of California’s water system – the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. It is a patchwork of about 60 islands and tracts surrounded by natural and man-made channels and sloughs. It is home to productive farmland. It is a popular destination for recreation. It’s home to more than 750 distinct species of plants and wildlife. Since about two-thirds of the islands and tracts are below sea level, the Delta relies on a maze of levees to protect land and key infrastructure from floods and daily high tides. It’s a unique part of California. The Delta is also the single most important link in California’s water supply system. Two of the state’s biggest water projects – the State Water Project (SWP) and the federal Central Valley Project (CVP) – depend on Delta waterways to convey water from Northern California rivers cto pumping facilities in the southern part of the Delta.

Southern California Water Supplies Region’s Water Portfolio 25% Colorado River 30% State Water Project (through the Delta) 45% Local Supplies Los Angeles Aqueduct Conservation Groundwater Recycling Desalination Bay-Delta State Water Project Los Angeles Aqueduct In fact, about 30% of Southern California’s water comes from Northern California. And another 25% comes from the Colorado River. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California imports these vital sources of water which serves 19 million Californians. That’s one our of every two Californians. And about one out of every 17 Americans. Ensuring these supplies remain reliable to provide clean, safe water for our homes, family, businesses, communities and our environment is important. That’s why Metropolitan’s board has supported and invested in the planning process and the scientific studies to develop a solution to the problems in the Delta. Colorado River Aqueduct

Problem…Solution Our water system is out of date and our primary water supply is at risk The current system cannot adequately capture and store water when it’s available. Our environment is suffering Without an update to our water infrastructure, the environment and the state’s economy are at risk. What are those problems? The current water system that operates in the Delta is outdated and unreliable: The levee system delivers clean drinking water to much of the state. But when these levees fail, water rushes into the lower-than-sea level islands, pulling in salt water from the Bay and reducing water quality. Existing operations from state and federal pumps, and from local diversions onto the islands, are strong enough to cause rivers to flow in reverse. This traps migrating fish and has led to declines in the native fish populations. State and federal agencies want to modernize and upgrade the water system by building three new intakes in the Northern Delta along with two tunnels far underground to convey water to the existing aqueduct system in the southern Delta.

Lost Water in Winter 2016 The new system would also have tremendous water supply benefits. There are strict limits on pumping to protect fish species in the South Delta, but that allows massive quantities of water to flow out to sea that could be used and stored in reservoirs and groundwater basins. This year is a good example of what could have happened this winter had California Water Fix been in operation. In just a couple of storms this past January and February, California WaterFix would have allowed water to be exported while meeting all the standards to protect fish and water quality. The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) tracked how we could have met the state’s dual goals of environmental protection and water supply reliability this winter, if WaterFix were in place. And the result would have been enough water for more than three and a half million people for one year. Source: State of California Fact Sheet

What is California Water Fix? The proposed California Water Fix is the result of more than a decade of planning and scientific studies on how to best improve the Delta and water reliability. It would modernize and improve the water system, improve reliability and help the environment.

Top Five Reasons Southern California Needs WaterFix There are many reasons why Southern California needs California Water Fix. Here are five of them.

Protecting Against the Big One New tunnel pipelines could transport supplies if a major earthquake collapses Delta levees and cuts off freshwater supplies. The new tunnel pipelines could safely transport supplies to the 25 million people, farms, businesses that depend on this water in the event an earthquake or other disaster collapses Delta levees and disrupts the existing decades-old system.

Surviving Drought Water stored in Southern California reservoirs for drought and emergency needs is imported through the Delta or the Colorado River Nearly all of the water that is stored in Southern California for drought and emergency needs comes either from Northern California or the Colorado River

Replenish Groundwater Groundwater is Southern California’s single largest local water source, but groundwater basin managers depend on imported supplies to replenish those basins. Groundwater is Southern California’s single largest local water source, but groundwater basin managers actually depend primarily on imported supplies from Northern California to help replenish those basins.

Capturing Big Storms A modernized system could capture enough water during winter storms to refill reservoirs. Creating more water intakes in the Delta mean more flexibility and less conflicts with species such as salmon. A modernized system could once again reliably capture enough water to refill reservoirs after big storms because it would have multiple locations in the Delta to divert supplies, providing flexibility and reducing conflicts with migrating fish species such as salmon.

The Highest Quality, More Local Supplies Sierra snowmelt is pure enough to recycle again and again in Southern California, promoting more recycling projects in the region’s future. Sierra snowmelt is pure enough to recycle again and again in Southern California, promoting more recycling projects in the region’s future. And the Northern California supply has been good enough for Metropolitan to enter into international water tasting competitions – and win.

Regional Benefits from Cal WaterFix Insert Slides on regional benefits and/or business benefits, depending on audience Placeholder

Meets the Co-equal Goals A 21st Century Solution Meets the Co-equal Goals It is a modern solution to a serious problem that threatens not just the Delta and it’s environment, but also the future water reliability and our state’s economy. Metropolitan and other water agencies are making huge investments in local supplies such as recycling projects and desalination. But imported water from Northern California will always be an essential part of our water supply portfolio.

Californians cannot afford a broken and unreliable water delivery system. WaterFix is a science-driven upgrade that will provide clean, reliable water and protect our environment. The time to act is now We need a Delta solution. California WaterFix is science-driven and achievable approach that scientists and water experts tell us will help fix California’s aging water delivery system and protect our economy. This current project has been the subject of an unprecedented level of study and scrutiny, as well as public review and comment. Current cost estimates, while not finalized, put the average cost of the project at about $5 per household per month, making it a sound investment in protecting our water supplies and the quality of that water. The generations before us invested in infrastructure, including water systems, that made California strong, prosperous and the envy of the world. It’s time to renew that commitment by investing in California Water Fix. In the coming months, major environmental and permitting decisions will be made. And water agencies will carefully consider the investments and next steps. These will be important decisions. But one thing is clear for Southern Californians. And that is the time to act is now. The ask… add logos – or website – or

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