Public review and comment period kicks off for Draft Environmental Impact Report for Pure Water Southern California

Video: Principal Public Affairs Representative Elisa Mendez explains how you can review the report and provide your valuable input. View the Spanish version. 

Metropolitan Water District released on May 14 the Draft Environmental Impact Report for Pure Water Southern California, a large-scale recycled water program being developed in partnership with the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts.

The draft EIR identifies and addresses potential environmental impacts from the construction and long-term operation of new facilities in Carson and other communities in Los Angeles County. The publication of the report kicks off a review period through July 14, when community members and stakeholders can comment on the adequacy of the report's analysis. Pure Water Southern California would purify and reuse cleaned wastewater, which is currently discharged to the ocean. At full capacity, the program is expected to produce 150 million gallons of purified water daily – enough to meet the needs of 1.5 million people and benefit the entire region.

“We live in a region with ever-present seismic and climate risks. Pure Water Southern California can increase water security for our communities and their input and support are essential for its success," said Metropolitan General Manager Deven Upadhyay. "We believe that this draft document incorporates the feedback we’ve heard from those who have participated in this process.”

Metropolitan and the Sanitation Districts aim to complete their respective environmental review processes by early 2026. The agencies' boards of directors would then consider final approval of the program, and water could be delivered from the facility as early as 2033.

Read the press release.

Public information meetings to learn about the process and how to submit comments are on June 12 and 14. To register or for more information about the DEIR, visit www.mwdh2o.com/purewaterDEIR. 

Bouldin Island in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.

Citing the need to protect California's water supply amid climate change and extreme weather whiplash, Gov. Gavin Newsom recently announced a proposal to accelerate plans to build the Delta Conveyance Project.

The DCP is an initiative to increase the long-term reliability of the State Water Project, which delivers water from the northern Sierra to communities across California, providing about 30% of the water used in Southern California. The economic success of the state is contingent on having a reliable water supply, but the system is vulnerable to climate change, earthquakes, and other threats.

Newsom's draft legislation would remove time-consuming administrative barriers and uncertainties to expedite review of the DCP – leading to lower costs, fewer delays, and better information so that agencies like Metropolitan can make decisions about moving forward with funding the construction of this project. A broad coalition of labor, business, infrastructure, social justice and nonprofit organizations support the Governor's proposal.  

Last December, Metropolitan's Board of Directors approved funding its share of DCP planning and pre-construction costs in 2026 and 2027 so that it can have the information needed to fully evaluate the long-term benefits of the project.

Read Metropolitan's statement.

"Delays and uncertainties regarding the DCP are unhelpful in determining the best path forward for our region and the state. The sooner we can finalize the DCP planning phase, the better informed our board will be as it considers all of these investments."

Metropolitan General Manager Deven Upadhyay

Metropolitan's One Water Awards spotlight four water-saving projects

From left, General Manager Deven Upadhyay, Senior Resource Specialist Gary Tilkian, Hollywood Post 43 Executive Committee Member Bob Gehan, board Vice Chair Nancy Sutley and board Chair Adán Ortega, Jr. at the One Water Awards ceremony.

Metropolitan celebrated four water-saving projects from across the region at its third annual One Water Awards ceremony on May 21.

The awards highlight extraordinary accomplishments in conservation, including collaboration, leadership, community responsibility and environmental impacts. Funded by Metropolitan’s Water Savings Incentive Program, Turf Replacement Program, Onsite Retrofit Program, and other public and private funding programs, the projects will collectively save more than 16 million gallons annually.

“The honorees are remarkable not only for their dedication to saving water, but for the example they set in their communities,” Metropolitan board Chair Adán Ortega, Jr. said. “They are proving what’s possible – and showing how Southern California can rise to the challenge of adapting to a changing climate.”

This year's winners include:

• Eastern Municipal Water District for its French Valley Recycled Water Expansion Project that brought recycled water to local schools and parks, and replaced more than 114,000 square feet of nonfunctional turf with water-efficient landscaping. Watch the video.

• Vallecitos Water District for helping HOAs transform large swaths of nonfunctional turf into water-saving landscapes. Watch the video.

• Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles for installing flow sensors and leak detection systems at affordable housing properties, allowing for quick repairs and significant water savings. Watch the video. 

• American Legion Hollywood Post 43 for replacing its nonfunctional turf with a native and California Friendly® landscape, showcasing sustainable landscaping in a historic setting. Watch the video.



Read the press release.

Land fallowing in the Palo Verde Irrigation District.

Metropolitan and the Palo Verde Irrigation District have partnered on a new program to strengthen the Palo Verde Valley community, as local farmers temporarily fallow part of their land to conserve water and help stabilize the Colorado River.

The Community Enhancement Collaborative will provide $8 million to small businesses, public agencies and community organizations for projects that support the greater Palo Verde Valley, which stretches across Riverside and Imperial counties. The new program builds on an improvement fund launched in 2007 that has supported workforce training and small business development.

Read the press release.

"Palo Verde farmers are helping the entire Colorado River basin through their efforts to reduce their water use. We are grateful for their contribution and want to support the continued success of their community."

Cynthia Kurtz, chair of the Metropolitan board’s Ad Hoc Committee on Ag and Tribal Partnerships

In support of its mission to provide a reliable water supply to Southern California, Metropolitan recently released its latest “Leadership Today, Water Tomorrow” report. It highlights how the district delivers, protects, plans, invests, conserves, sustains and innovates.

Read the report.

As part of Water Awareness Month in May, Metropolitan highlighted its commitment to delivering reliable, high-quality water through a series of social media videos. The five videos, featuring current and past water quality laboratory staff, showcase the dedication and science behind protecting Southern California’s drinking water.