Metropolitan issues statement on State Water Board release of Water Quality Control Plan

Metropolitan Water District General Manager Shivaji Deshmukh issues the following statement on the State Water Board's release today of a new draft update of the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan:

"Metropolitan recognizes that the reliability of Southern California's water supply depends in part on the health of the Bay-Delta watershed and its rivers. One of our most important water supplies is conveyed through the Delta, and for years Metropolitan has been engaged in scientific research to help inform water operations through the region and to support native species. That research, combined with the lived experience of water managers over the past decade, has made clear that the long-term viability of those species depends on more than just water flows and pumping restrictions.

"Improved habitat, water quality, and functional flows, coupled with a strong science program and dedicated funding for these strategies, will increase the viability of our native species. The Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program recognizes this and offers a more holistic approach to managing the watershed, benefiting both the Bay-Delta and urban and rural communities. That is why Metropolitan has been an engaged partner in developing the HRL program, including when it entered into the 2022 Memorandum of Understanding with numerous state and local agencies.

"We look forward to reviewing how the State Water Board has incorporated the HRL program into the latest draft of the Water Quality Control Plan and are hopeful a more comprehensive approach will translate into improved reliability and a better environment."