Bay Area Council Supports Streamlining the Delta Conveyance Project

Amidst perennial debates about housing, population, and economic growth in California, it’s critical to remember that none of these plans are possible without an affordable and reliable water supply. That’s why Bay Area Council CEO Jim Wunderman today (Aug. 20) joined California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot and business, labor, and water leaders from across California in calling for the legislature to streamline the Delta Conveyance Project. Water from the State Water Project comprises the region’s second largest water source, meeting about 30% of the Bay Area’s total water demand. This vital water source faces near-term threats from catastrophic seismic collapse, and long-term threats from rising sea levels and increased delta salinity.

The Delta Conveyance Project will strengthen the Bay Area’s drought resilience by adding a second intake 35 miles upstream of the Delta along the Sacramento River and conveying that water beneath the delta through a single 6,000 cubic-feet-per-second tunnel to existing state and federal aqueducts, yielding an additional ~400,000 acre-feet of water annually above the no-action alternative. This is a good deal for the Bay Area. Even including the cost of construction, water from the State Water Project will still be about 58% less expensive than recycled water, 52% less expensive than desalination, 37% less expensive than storm water capture and, at $1,325 an acre-foot, within the average range of conservation programs like turf replacement. That’s why Bay Area water agencies like Valley Water, Zone 7, and Alameda County Water agency have all continued to support the Delta Conveyance Project.

Gov. Newsom’s proposals will streamline administrative processes for the Delta Conveyance Project and will significantly save time and cost to adapt the State Water Project to the effects of climate change and protect against earthquake risk. These actions preserve environmental protections while promoting efficiency and expediency. And they will allow the state’s most important surface water supply and climate adaptation project to save years, and billions of dollars by avoiding delays. To engage with the Council’s Water & Climate Resilience Committee please contact Senior Vice President, Public Policy, Adrian Covert.