Water Authority Plan Shows Sufficient Supplies Through 2050

Water Authority Plan Shows Sufficient Supplies Through 2050

March 12, 2026

Draft Urban Water Management Plan released for public review

The San Diego County Water Authority today released its draft 2025 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) and draft Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) for public review. The draft UWMP confirms that the Water Authority's diversified portfolio of water supplies, combined with a sustained commitment to water-use efficiency, will meet the region's water supply needs through 2050, even during multiple dry years.

As a result, the Water Authority is pursuing water transfer agreements with agencies outside of the San Diego region. Those agreements would provide the Water Authority with revenue to help mitigate future wholesale water rate increases.

The draft documents will be available for a 45-day public comment period ending April 25, 2026. The Water Planning and Environmental Committee of the Water Authority's Board of Directors will hold a public hearing on April 23, 2026. The Board is expected to consider adoption of the final plans at its meeting on May 28. The draft plans must be submitted to the state by July 1.

To read the draft documents, or to submit comments, go to: https://www.sdcwa.org/water-authority-releases-water-planning-documents-for-public-review-and-comment/.

"Thanks to the Water Authority's water supply investments, San Diego County is well positioned to meet future water demands with reliable supplies. We are continuing to work with partners across Southern California and the Southwest to support supply reliability, while maintaining the water supply that San Diego County residents and businesses depend on," said Water Authority Director of Water Resources Jeff Stephenson.

The Water Authority started the process to prepare the plans in 2024, coordinating closely with its 22 member agencies, which provided input for the draft plans.

The draft UWMP's long-range demand forecast shows that regional water demands are expected to remain nearly flat through 2050. This is consistent with the forecasts prepared by the Water Authority's member agencies and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

Multiple supply and demand projections factor into the draft UWMP, which is mandated by the state to ensure sufficient supplies over a 25-year planning horizon. The draft UWMP is not used to set water rates; rates are set annually based on multiple financial factors at the time, not long-term projections about water supplies.

The content of the draft UWMP is driven by statutory guidelines and input from the Water Authority's Board of Directors. The plan accounts for changes in socio-economic factors, such as the number of projected housing units, the mix of single-family and multi-family dwellings, and employment growth. The plan also supports state laws that link approval for large housing developments to water supply availability.

In addition to the UWMP and WSCP, the Water Authority also regularly updates its Water Facilities Master Plan, which focuses on the infrastructure necessary to meet projected long-term demands, and its Long-Range Financing Plan. Those documents work together to ensure the right mix of supplies and facilities to meet the region's water needs in a sustainable way.