San Diego Water Agencies, USA

What are they?

The San Diego County Water Authority is the wholesale water supplier to three million residents through 24 member agencies in the San Diego region of Southern California. The Public Utilities Department (formerly City of San Diego Water Department) provides water utility services to more than 1.3 million people.

What have they done?

SDCWA has continued to be an engine of innovation and diversification in one of the most water-starved, environmentally sensitive regions of the US, pursuing non-conventional water supply projects and leading water conservation efforts. During 2009, the Public Utilities Department received approval for a pioneering indirect potable reuse demonstration project that could potentially open the way for a full-scale 660,000m³/d project. SDCWA was also instrumental in bringing the 189,250m³/d Carlsbad desalination plant to within a whisker of breaking ground; this is now scheduled for summer 2010.

What makes them special?

• Deficits in rainfall and the Sierra snowpack led Governor Schwarzenegger to proclaim a state-wide drought for the third consecutive year in 2008. SDCWA's unwavering commitment to establish alternative water supply sources will ensure a safe and reliable water supply to San Diego County in 2010 and beyond.

• Regulatory restrictions on pumping from the Bay Delta in Northern California came into force in July 2009, resulting in a 13% cut in water deliveries to the San Diego region. SDCWA's response was truly meritorious, encompassing a raft of actions to ameliorate the reduction in water deliveries.

• The Public Utilities Department has built a coalition that has overcome San Diego City's historical opposition to indirect potable reuse.