CA WATER FIX

From Northern California to the Inland Empire – The Delta Connection

Do you know where your water comes from? The reliability of the Inland Empire’s water supply is directly linked to Northern California, which is why regional partnerships like iEfficient have been working to spread the word about projects across the state. Almost every Californian gets at least a portion of the water that originates in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. In fact, all of the water in our region’s largest reservoir, Diamond Valley Lake, originates in the Sierras and makes the 700-mile journey through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Bay-Delta) and the California Aqueduct, which enters the Inland Empire above Cal State San Bernardino. The water flowing through the Bay-Delta is in jeopardy due to environmental restrictions, water quality issues and the possibility of damage from earthquakes. The CA Water Fix will move water intakes north, increasing the reliability of California’s water supply while also restoring the vital ecosystem of the Delta. Get involved. To learn more about CA Water Fix, visit californiawaterfix.com

Lake Oroville Spillway

For the first time in its near 50-year history, overflow water at Lake Oroville Reservoir is sent down an emergency spillway. Damage in the concrete in early February reduced dam releases, resulting in high storm runoff pouring into the reservoir and causing the overflow. Lake Oroville is the heart of the State Water Project which sends water from Northern to Southern California. State water managers are monitoring the situation closely to evaluate further concrete damage and are already estimating repair costs to top $200 million, a bill that could go directly to the rate payers of Southern California. For information information regarding Lake Oroville and the State Water Project, visit cawaterfix.com.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the CA Water Fix?

The CA Water Fix is a proposed solution to upgrade California’s aging and unreliable water delivery system This solution would enhance the reliability of the state’s water supply by changing the way water passes through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta instead of moving through the Delta, water would pass underneath it via two modern pipelines designed to withstand earthquakes and other challenges.

What is the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta?

Almost all Californians get at least some water that has passed through the Sacra-memo-San Joaquin Delta, an 1,100 square mile area at the western edge of the Central Valley where the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers converge and flow into Suisun Bay. The water that ﬂows through the Delta is snow melt that originates in the Sierra Nevada mountain range After flowing through the Delta, much of this water then makes the 700-mile journey to the Inland Empire through the California Aqueduct.

What's Wrong with the Delta?

As a water delivery system, the Delta is outdated and fragile, vulnerable to earthquakes and climate change, and potentially harmful to local ﬁsh populations. Because so much of California’s economy and vitality depends upon reliable water supplies, we need to protect this fragile but crucial source of water.

How Would the CA WaterFix Address These Problems?

The CA WaterFix takes a science-driven approach to enhancing the Delta’s reliability and sustainability. The proposed improvements includes two tunnels 40 ft in diameter running as much as 150 it below ground, new water intakes designed to handle 9,000 cubic ft per second while protecting aquatic life, and about 15,000 acres of habitat protection and restoration. The result protection against disruption of our water supply caused by sea level rise, earthquakes, and ﬂoods.

Who uses this water?

Our dependency on water from the Delta increases the need for the CA WaterFix, especially during times of drought. If an earthquake causes the fragile, 100-year old levees currently in place to fail, Southern California could lose 30 percent of its water supply, further straining local groundwater supplies already under stress

How Much Would it Cost, and Who is Paying?

The CA WaterFix is a complex and ambitious effort that is scheduled to be completed over a 50 year period. Our current water delivery system has been in use for 100 years, so the beneﬁts of the project will positively impact generations of California families and businesses.

How Long Will the Project Take to Complete?

It will cost about $14.9 billion to complete the CA WaterFix, securing a sustainable water supply for future generations of Californians. That works out to about $5 a month for urban water users throughout the state, a small price to play for a reliable water future.

Will the CA WaterFix Help Californians in Times of Drought?

Water from the Delta helps support 25 million Californians and millions of acres of farmland. About 30 percent of Southern California’s water comes from the Delta, including all of the water in Diamond Valley Lake, our region’s largest reservoir.