Gonzalo Barriga

This 2018 Annual Retrospective for Metropolitan details the organization's accomplishments and initiatives, demonstrating how its forward-looking vision yielded tangible results. Key focus areas include significant investments in water infrastructure, such as the California WaterFix and ozone treatment plants, alongside a strong emphasis on fiscal responsibility through capital projects and facility rehabilitation. The document also highlights successful water conservation efforts, surpassing 1 million acre-feet saved, and a commitment to environmental stewardship through climate action, ecological reserves, and sustainable landscape programs. Innovation, exemplified by the regional recycled water project, is also a central theme, contributing to balanced water demands and supplies.

The event celebrated the grand opening of the High Desert Water Bank, a partnership between the Anaip Valley East Kern Water Agency (AVAC) and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. The project spans nearly 1,300 acres within the adjudicated Antelope Valley groundwater Basin, designed to recharge up to 70,000 acre-feet annually and store up to 280,000 acre-feet, with the capacity to recover 70,000 acre-feet per year during dry periods. Key project components include approximately 600 acres of recharge basins, 322 acres of habitat mitigation lands, seven miles of large diameter pipelines, and 27 recovery wells. Speakers emphasized that this project is a critical component of climate adaptation, ensuring water supply reliability and resiliency for Southern California by intelligently storing water during wet years. The history of land use in the Antelope Valley, transitioning from cattle grazing to farming, irrigation, aerospace, and residential development, was also discussed.

The meeting focused on optimizing stormwater capture in Northern and Central Orange County, given California's high annual precipitation variability. Key discussion points included the significant year-to-year rainfall differences in Southern California and the need for facilities designed for such fluctuations. The presentation detailed the Orange County Water District's (OCWD) role within the Santa Ana River Watershed, including the use of groundwater replenishment systems and stormwater capture from the river, which is crucial as the groundwater basin supplies 85% of local water. Specific recharge facilities, such as the Anaheim Lake, Miller, and Kramer basins, and the partnership with the Army Corps of Engineers regarding temporary stormwater storage at Prado Dam were reviewed. The discussion highlighted the success of capturing 51,000 acre-feet of water through the current system in the preceding year. Future efforts involve implementing Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO) to potentially increase storage capacity by up to 15,000 additional acre-feet via a five-year deviation test at Prado Dam, which is currently being processed.

This fact sheet details the Multi-Benefit Landscape Restoration project on Webb Tract, led by The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. The initiative aims to transform Webb Tract from conventional agricultural use to wetlands and rice farming, addressing critical issues such as subsidence, greenhouse gas emissions, and habitat loss in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Key objectives include enhancing the Delta's ecosystem, promoting water reliability, supporting sustainable agriculture, and fostering carbon sequestration. The project is supported by a $20.9 million grant from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy's Nature-Based Solutions: Wetland Restoration Grant Program and incorporates adaptive management strategies.

The 2020 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) for The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California provides an assessment of the agency's water service reliability, strategies, and challenges through 2045. It outlines sources of water supply, efficient uses, and demand management measures, and incorporates a Water Shortage Contingency Plan for droughts and catastrophic interruptions. Key strategies include developing a diversified resource portfolio, promoting conservation, increasing local resources, improving storage capabilities, and managing water quality to ensure long-term water reliability for the region.