Metropolitan adopts groundbreaking strategy to adapt to climate change

The Pure Water Southern California program in Carson is one of the projects that will be assessed under Metropolitan's Climate Adaptation Master Plan for Water.

Metropolitan Water District’s Board of Directors adopted this month the Climate Adaptation Master Plan for Water, a groundbreaking strategy to ensure Southern California has a reliable supply of water amid hotter temperatures, more extreme droughts, less snowpack and rising sea levels.

Developed over two years, with extensive consultation with regional water leaders, CAMP4Water provides a roadmap to guide future investments and decision-making on proposed water projects and programs amid the challenges and unknowns of climate change.

“Climate extremes are stressing all of our water sources – from the Colorado River, the northern Sierra, and here locally. We know we are going to have to make significant investments in existing and new local supplies, storage, conveyance and water efficiency," said board Chair Adán Ortega, Jr. "But, we face a lot of uncertainties on how and when to make those investments. This new decision-making framework will help us build the right projects at the right time while limiting rate impacts.”

The plan includes an assessment of the region's future water needs and sets targets for identifying new water supplies and implementing adaptation policies. It also establishes a set of criteria to help the board of directors make decisions about future projects.

Major projects that will be assessed this year under the new framework include: Pure Water Southern California, which would be one of the largest water recycling projects in the world; Sites Reservoir, a 1.5 million acre-foot reservoir proposed for northwest of Sacramento; and the Delta Conveyance Project, which would modernize the state's water delivery infrastructure in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

Read the press release.

Former board Director Judy Abdo with the plaque marking the Judy Abdo Wildflower Trail at Diamond Valley Lake during the April 17 naming ceremony.

Metropolitan has renamed the Wildflower Trail at Diamond Valley Lake in honor of former board Director Judy Abdo, a conservation advocate who encouraged Southern Californians to landscape with native and drought-tolerant plants.

During the April 17 ceremony, Metropolitan officials and colleagues commended Abdo for her service and commitment to environmental stewardship. They also unveiled a new plaque in her honor that is mounted on a boulder marking the entrance to the seasonal Wildflower Trail overlooking Diamond Valley Lake, which is Southern California's largest drinking water reservoir.

Abdo, who retired last year, represented the city of Santa Monica on Metropolitan's Board of Directors for 28 years, making her one of the organization's longest-serving directors. In addition to her work with Metropolitan, Abdo served on the Santa Monica City Council, including two terms as mayor, and had a distinguished career as an elementary school teacher, a school district administrator and leader of a foundation and nonprofit.

Read the press release.

"Focusing on our environment and working to make sure future generations understand the value of water and our earth has always been important to me. I am thrilled with this honor and am so glad this beautiful trail and outdoor area are available to all who come to visit and learn here."

Former board Director Judy Abdo

Metropolitan's immersive 'Bloom Box' showcases the beauty of water-efficient California Friendly® and native plants

The Bloom Box made its debut at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Monterey Park on April 12. It was parked outside Metropolitan's headquarters for Earth Week celebrations on April 22 and 23.

As part of its campaign to get Southern Californians to say "Goodbye Grass," Metropolitan is taking the Bloom Box, a new multisensory celebration of California Friendly® and native plants, to festivals and events across the region this spring and summer.

The Bloom Box is designed to give visitors an immersive experience in the beauty of water-efficient landscaping. They step inside and see the walls and ceiling covered in poppies, succulents, rosemary and other plants, hear birds chirping and smell lavender.

The Bloom Box will be at KIIS FM's Wango Tango on May 10 in Huntington Beach and the Palos Verdes Street Fair and Music Festival on June 14.

In 2024, Metropolitan added eight more zero-emission vehicles, like the one above at the Jensen Water Treatment Plant, for a total of 20.

Metropolitan continues advancing toward its goal of carbon neutrality by 2045 through its Climate Action Plan. The 2024 Annual Report highlights the progress made last year to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to build a more resilient, sustainable water system for Southern California in the face of a changing climate.

The district is moving toward its goal of a fully zero-emission fleet by 2027 and continues to prioritize vehicles for replacement and develop strategies to guide the transition. 

This year Metropolitan plans to focus on strategic planning for power supply as the district adapts its water infrastructure to be more climate resilient.

Read the report.

The California Department of Water Resources conducted the April snow survey at Phillips Station on March 28. The survey recorded a snow water equivalent of 17 inches, or 70% of average for this location.

This fourth snow survey of the season is a pivotal moment. Water managers across the state use snowpack data from this measurement to predict the potential amount of snowmelt runoff, providing insight into how much water will flow into California's rivers and reservoirs.

The snowpack may have caught up to near normal, but Southern California remains exceptionally dry with below average rainfall.

The fourth media snow survey of the 2025 season at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada. Photo courtesy of DWR.

"Southern California has long benefitted from our investments in the infrastructure and partnerships necessary to import water from outside the region, and this year is another reminder of the value of those investments," said Metropolitan General Manager Deven Upadhyay. "The region’s water reliability is further strengthened by our investments in local supplies, storage and conservation that allow us to overcome the obstacles posed by climate change and extreme droughts."

Read the full statement. 

Director Gretchen Shepherd Romey at her swearing in with Chair Ortega.

Gretchen Shepherd Romey, a lawyer and civic leader, was seated as San Marino’s representative on Metropolitan's board on April 8. She succeeds John T. Morris, who represented San Marino on Metropolitan’s 38-member board since January 1990.

Shepherd Romey has been a member of the San Marino City Council since 2017 and is serving her second term as mayor. She has a long resume of community and non-profit leadership.

“Director Shepherd Romey’s experience as a lawyer, civic leader and mayor will allow her to bring to the board a grounded perspective about regional water policy, which is welcome at this time of transformational change at Metropolitan,” said Chair Ortega.

Read the press release.