Metropolitan board approves local water exchanges to help boost region’s water supply reliability

Groundwater treatment, such as the Fallbrook Groundwater Desalter shown above, has helped boost the region's local supply of water.

“Climate change is making our water supplies more unpredictable. This kind of regional cooperation gives us more tools and flexibility to respond to droughts, adapt to changing conditions, and reduce pressure on imported supplies.”

Metropolitan General Manager Deven Upadhyay

Partnering with rice farmers to advance sustainability in the

Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta

An aerial view of Webb Tract. Part of the Metropolitan-owned island will be converted to rice cultivation, while a parallel project underway will restore seasonal wetlands on the property.

To improve sustainability in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, Metropolitan's board approved two lease agreements to cultivate rice on district-owned islands in the Delta – the heart of California’s water supply system and one of the state’s most vital ecosystems.

Under the lease agreements, current agricultural lands will be converted to rice farming on Webb Tract in Contra Costa County and on Bacon Island in San Joaquin County. Growing rice can help address land subsidence, improve carbon sequestration, and support habitat for migratory birds and other Delta species.

In addition to supporting these environmental goals, the new long-term leases will generate revenue for Metropolitan and increase the land’s market value.

“These leases build on Metropolitan’s decades of investment in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, recognizing that addressing subsidence and protecting native species are essential to ensuring long-term resilience and ecological health in the region,” said Metropolitan board Chair Adán Ortega, Jr.

Read the press release.

Metropolitan doubles turf replacement rebate for businesses

and institutions 

From left, Dave Pettijohn with Los Angeles Department of Water and Power; Elise Goldman with Metropolitan; Bob Gehan with American Legion Hollywood Post 43; Michael Camacho, Vice Chair of Metropolitan's Board of Directors; Aron King with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation; and Salomon Miranda with the Department of Water Resources at the Aug. 28 press conference announcing the rebate increase.

Metropolitan is increasing its Turf Replacement rebate to $7 per square foot – the highest amount ever offered regionwide – for Southern California businesses, schools, HOAs and other non-residential properties that replace their water-intensive grass with more sustainable landscaping.

Up to 70% of the water used in Southern California is for outdoor irrigation. The increased rebate is part of Metropolitan’s ongoing effort to boost water-efficiency in homes and businesses across Southern California, helping ensure the region has the water it needs as the climate changes. It will also help businesses and institutions comply with a new state law prohibiting the use of potable water on grass that is not used for recreation or other purposes – also known as nonfunctional turf – on most non-residential properties beginning in 2027.

The increased rebate is available starting Sept. 1. It's made possible through a $30 million grant from California’s Department of Water Resources and $96 million in federal funding through the Bureau of Reclamation’s Lower Colorado Basin System Conservation and Efficiency Program.

“Southern California’s landscape is changing. But looking around you still see a challenge everywhere – grass that isn’t played on, or picnicked on, or even walked on except when it is being mowed. It’s outside large buildings, in business parks, on medians,” said Michael Camacho, vice chair of Metropolitan’s Board of Directors. “This rebate helps these properties comply with the new state mandates while also switching to an alternative that is water-efficient, beautiful and supports our local ecosystems.” 

Read the press release

Metropolitan directors join State Water Contractors and partners in advocating for Delta Conveyance Project legislation

Metropolitan board Directors Jay Lewitt and Miguel Luna, front row on the left, traveled to Sacramento on Aug. 20 to urge support for the Delta Conveyance Project budget trailer bill. Chair Adan Ortega, Jr. and Directors Mel Katz and Jacque McMillan also joined.

Metropolitan joined a broad coalition of business, water, labor, housing and social justice groups at the Capitol on Aug. 20 to make the case for passage of Gov. Gavin Newsom's bill to streamline the Delta Conveyance Project.

The group met with more than two dozen legislators and their staff, urging support for the bill that would allow the project to move forward with planning and permitting while ensuring the environmental and public processes remain intact. The advocacy day included a press conference hosted by the State Water Contractors. Speakers emphasized the importance of protecting the State Water Project, which is facing increasing challenges brought by climate change, weather extremes, seismic risks and sea-level rise.

The State Water Project supplies 30% of the water used in Southern California on average and even more in wet years. For Metropolitan, the DCP bill ensures the district's Board of Directors can make informed investment decisions that support long-term water reliability and affordability for the communities Metropolitan serves.

New partnerships with influencers boost conservation awareness

LA in a Minute’s Evan Lovett provides a short overview on

how Metropolitan gets water to Southern California.

Artist Tim Biskup shares how nature — and trees, featured in Metropolitan’s rebate program — inspire his work.

Guitarist and composer Jeff Parker shares how he replaced his lawn with California Friendly® and native plants.

Behind the Scenes: The Complex, Underwater Work to Repair

a Lake Mathews Gate

Metropolitan staff and contractors recently undertook complex, emergency repairs to fix a stuck gate at Lake Mathews. More than 70 feet deep, the gate became jammed by Quagga mussels and other debris, creating an uncontrolled flow of water in the system. Watch the video to see how crews tackled the challenge.