08-06-2019 – BCVWD engages in water supply solutions
BCVWD actively engages in regional and local water supply solutions Bay-Delta Water Tour provides opportunity to interact with state water system
Remaining involved in conversations about local and regional water supply solutions is an important part of BCVWD’s dedication to leading the industry in water resource management, while also providing safe, reliable water to customers.
In June, BCVWD staff and Board members explored the complex system that provides imported water to the agency’s customers at the Water Education Foundation’s Bay-Delta Water Tour. Water imported from the State Water Project makes up a substantial portion of BCVWD’s supply.
“BCVWD customers have relied on this source of imported water for more than a decade,” said Board of Directors President John Covington. “The magnitude of this resource does not go unappreciated. As our community keeps growing, we will continue to develop local supplies, balancing our demands from the Delta with our own local resources.”
The tour traveled the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, which is a 720,000-acre network of islands and canals that supports the state’s water system. Topics covered included Delta planning initiatives, the proposed tunnels projects, water project operations, fish passage, ecosystem restoration, levees and flood management, Delta agriculture, storage, and drinking water quality and water supply reliability.
“The tour painted the picture of perspective when it comes to water management in California,” said James Bean, BCVWD Assistant Director of Operations. “It’s important to work diligently in developing local water supplies such as recycled water and storm water capture to reduce our community’s dependence on imported water. However, with most of the state’s water supply in the north and large populations in the south, it is vital to invest in the projects that allow deliveries through the State Water Project. “The collective management of this precious resource is imperative for future generations,” Bean added.
