Imported Water
For over half a century, the San Diego County Water Authority has imported
water to meet the San Diego region's water needs through times of drought, economic
expansion and population growth. San Diego County's $150 billion annual economy,
job base and quality of life are built on this foundation of imported water.
Through much of the Water Authority's history, it has concentrated on importing
water and maintaining our regional pipeline system. The Water Authority joined
the Metropolitan Water District of Southern
California in late 1946 to gain a connection from the Colorado River. Water
from the river reached San Vicente Reservoir near Lakeside a year later, via
San Diego Pipeline 1 and the Colorado River Aqueduct. The county still relies
on Colorado River water today. In addition, the Water Authority works through
MWD to import water from Northern California rivers via the State Water Project.
The region's heavy reliance on imported water is not surprising, given the
semi-arid climate and periodic droughts. The Water Authority's board of directors
recognizes that San Diego County must diversify its water supplies therefore
decreasing the percentage of imported water in the region's total supply mix.
Currently, the Water Authority is actively locating, evaluating and developing
new water sources that will help meet the county's needs, while striving to
protect and enhance the region's sensitive ecosystem during construction and
maintenance of vital water supply projects.
For more information see section 3 of
the Water Authority's Urban Water Management Plan.
Please contact despe@sdcwa.org for more
information.
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