Metropolitan to further reduce reliance on Colorado River with $186 million federal investment

Three Metropolitan programs helping Southern California reduce its use of Colorado River water for years to come will receive a $186 million boost from the federal government, under new agreements reached with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the last of which was approved by Metropolitan’s board of directors this week.

Metropolitan’s Turf Replacement Program, High Desert Water Bank groundwater storage program, and leak detection and repair program for disadvantaged communities will all receive federal support through the Inflation Reduction Act, under phase two of Reclamation’s Lower Colorado River Basin System Conservation and Efficiency Program. Together, the agreements will result in up to 269,000 acre-feet of conserved water added to Lake Mead by 2031 (an acre-foot is about 326,000 gallons, enough water to serve roughly three Southern California families).

"“We are grateful to the federal government for their collaboration and investment in developing a more sustainable Colorado River. We are committed to continuing to work together to develop realistic solutions that increase water efficiency, reduce reliance on the river, and better manage water as a shared resource for 30 million people and farming across the entire basin,” Metropolitan board chair Adán Ortega, Jr. said.

Metropolitan’s Turf Replacement Program, which helps residents and businesses convert their thirsty grass to more sustainable, water-efficient landscaping, will receive up to $96 million from Reclamation. The funds will help Metropolitan increase the rebate it provides to businesses and residents to $4 for every square-foot of grass that is replaced with California Friendly and native plants. In exchange for this funding, Metropolitan will add more than 97,000 acre-feet to Lake Mead through 2031.

Reclamation has also granted Metropolitan up to $82 million to fund design and construction of facilities at Metropolitan’s High Desert Water Bank. The project, in partnership with the Antelope Valley-East Kern Water Agency, allows Metropolitan to store water from California’s State Water Project when it is available during wet years, for use in dry years. In exchange for the funding, Metropolitan will add 168,000 acre-feet of water to Lake Mead to benefit the system.

Finally, Metropolitan’s program to detect and repair leaks in disadvantaged communities will receive up to $8 million from Reclamation, for a total water savings of 4,000 acre-feet contributed to Lake Mead. The program supports residents by providing leak detection and repair for income-qualified homeowners, as well as cities, by providing leak detection and repair of water pipelines, including mainlines. In addition to contributing water to Lake Mead, the program reduces water costs for residents and communities.

"While these actions will help stabilize Lake Mead over the next few years, they will also result in long-term reductions in demand for Colorado River water – long after we’ve fulfilled our commitment to contribute the 269,000 acre-feet required by these agreements,” Interim General Manager Deven Upadhyay said. “Advancing regionwide water-efficiency and storage opportunities will help build a more sustainable Southern California.”

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a state-established cooperative that, along with its 26 cities and retail suppliers, provides water for 19 million people in six counties. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage and other resource-management programs.