The Colorado River Aqueduct is shown in this photograph. Currently, the San Diego County Water Authority receives its Quantification Settlement Agreement water supplies through the aqueduct. However, the Water Authority is undertaking a Regional Conveyance System Study to explore whether it would be more cost effective and provide mutual benefits throughout California’s Southwest to build a direct conveyance system between Imperial and San Diego counties. On Thursday, November 19, the Water Authority approved moving forward with Phase B of the study.

The San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors on Thursday, November 19, authorized staff to launch the next phase of a study assessing options for long-term water deliveries to sustain the region’s safe and reliable Quantification Settlement Agreement (QSA) supplies, initiating a phase that will further develop how the proposed project would benefit not only San Diego County, but other stakeholders throughout the Southwest.

The decision follows

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In this April 2019 photo, a group of Imperial Valley representatives are pictured together with San Diego County Water Authority Board members and staff during a tour of the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant, the largest such seawater desalination plant in the Western Hemisphere. The Water Authority has hosted annual tours (prior to COVID-19) for Imperial Valley representatives to visit the plant and other local water management and supply projects in the San Diego region. Likewise, the Water Authority Board has taken part in tours in the Imperial Valley as part of an ongoing effort to develop a better understanding of regional water issues affecting both the Valley and San Diego.

Recently, there was some discussion on social media locally that
suggested the San Diego County Water Authority should invest in seawater
desalination and consider other supply development in the San Diego region. This
blog is in response to that important dialogue

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Pictured is a portion of a ground roughening dust suppression project implemented by the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) at the Salton Sea on the sea’s southern end. To date, IID, working as part of the Quantification Settlement Agreement Joint Powers Authority made of up IID, the San Diego County Water Authority, Coachella Valley Water District and the state, has implemented some 2,000 acres of projects on exposed playa with another 7,000 acres in planning phases. Meanwhile, the California Natural Resources Agency is taking steps to implement its Salton Sea Management Plan (SSMP), a phased approach to restoration at the sea. On Aug. 19, the State Water Resources Control Board held a virtual workshop to receive an update on the SSMP.

The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) voiced support during a workshop held Aug. 19 for the most recent steps taken by the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) to implement

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