This document discusses water supply challenges in Southern California and the programs and projects of the West Basin Municipal Water District to ensure reliable water supplies. It notes that the region relies heavily on imported water from Northern California and the Colorado River but is pursuing more local and drought-proof supplies like recycled water, ocean desalination, and groundwater replenishment. It provides information on the district's water recycling facility, conservation programs, and efforts to expand the use of recycled water for irrigation and industrial customers.

1. West Basin
Water Reliability
Program
Providing a safe and reliable supply of high-quality water to
the communities we serve.
Director Scott Houston
West Basin Municipal Water District
Division IV
El Segundo, Culver City, West Hollywood, Malibu, Topanga,
Marina del Rey

2. California’s Historic Drought

3. Historic Drought in California
4

4. Lake Oroville -
2014
r

5. Lake Mead – 2014

6. 7

8. Is this the beginning of a
mega-drought?

12. Bay/Delta
LA Aqueduct
Colorado River
Aqueduct
State Water
Project
Sierra Mountains
Local
Groundwater and
Recycling
Conservation

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WATER IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IS UNIQUE
WATER SOURCES
• Two main sources of water come from Northern California and Colorado River
• Most of the rain falls in the north, most people live in the south
• In addition to imported water, Southern California relies on groundwater and
recycled water
RESERVES
• State Water Project (SWP) moves water from north to south
• SWP is an engineering feat equal to building the pyramids of Egypt
• 1,250 damns and reservoirs in California
QUALITY OF LIFE
Southern California needs water to protect $1 trillion economy and our way of life

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CALIFORNIA WATER CHALLENGES
.• More dependent on imported water than
any location on earth
• Arid region, very little rainfall
• Growing population
• Local water supply limitations
• Fragile imported water system
• Competing demands for water
• Our lifestyle and economy depend on
water

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OVERALL WATER CHALLENGES
.Climate change; loss of snowpack
Colorado River compared to 1930’s Dust Bowl
Scientific studies predicting a dryer future
Reoccurring droughts
Over pumping of groundwater
Great Lakes Compact
20th Century was the wettest
Tree ring studies show 150-200 year long
droughts
Bay Delta water system & earthquakes

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WEST BASIN MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT
Provides imported drinking water &
recycled water to nearly 1 million people in
17 cities
Provides recycled water to municipal,
commercial and industrial customers
Public wholesaler water agency est. 1947
Member of The Metropolitan Water District
of Southern California

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SERVICE AREA

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WEST BASIN LEADERSHIP
Division I:
Harold C. Williams
Vice President
Division II:
Gloria D. Gray
Past President
Division III:
Carol W. Kwan
President
Division IV:
Scott Houston
Treasurer
Division V:
Donald L. Dear
Secretary

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WATER RELIABILITY THROUGH SUPPLY
DIVERSIFICATION
Ocean Water
Desalination
Recycled
Water
Imported WaterGroundwater
Conservation
Projected Water Supply 2025

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CONSERVATION PROGRAMS
Distributed over
300,000 water-saving
devices
Conservation
programs receive
300% return on
investments for
our customers
Conserved more
than 3 billion
gallons of imported
water, equivalent to
20,000 households

21. Drought-Resistant Landscape
Classes & Greywater Workshops

22. Ocean-Friendly Gardens

23. Rain Barrel Distributions

24. Edward C. Little Water Recycling
Facility
14

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WATER RECYCLING FACILITY
Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility,
El Segundo
Built in 1995
Conserved 175 Billion Gallons of Drinking
Water – enough water to meet the needs of
the City of L.A. for one year!
Over 13,000 visitors annually

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5 DESIGNER WATERS
1 2 3
4 5
Irrigation Cooling Towers Low Pressure Boilers
High Pressure Boilers Groundwater Replenishment

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RECYCLED WATER DISTRIBUTION
110 miles of recycled water pipeline
Invested $600 million in water recycling
and conservation projects
State-of-the-art water recycling facility
and 3 satellite facilities
Every drop of water we recycled is a drop
of drinking water conserved for one of our
constituent’s homes or businesses.

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CUSTOMERS

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SOLUTIONS: DROUGHT-PROOF LOCAL SUPPLY
PROJECTS
Expand West Basin recycled water
customer base & distribution system
San Diego Ocean Desalination Plant
Orange County Groundwater
Replenishment System
Inland Empire Water Purification
Los Angeles Groundwater Cleanup

30. OCEAN WATER DESALINATION
Responsible research since 2000
74% public support
New reliable local supply
Meets Governor Brown’s California Water Action Plan
Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Process
Will provide 10% of future drinking water supply

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FUTURE WATER SUPPLIES
WHAT SHOULD BE OUR FUTURE LOCAL,
DROUGHT-PROOF WATER SUPPLIES?
Recycling 82%
Conservation 78%
Ocean Desalination 74%
Diverse local water portfolio 88%
Water shortage will be an issue beyond the
current drought
84%

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FREE COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
WATER RECYCLING & OCEAN DESALINATION TOURS
Tours are provided at the Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility and open to
the public. In addition, inspection tours of the Colorado River Aqueduct and the
State Water Project are offered throughout the year.
West Basin invites the community to learn about the value of water in a fun,
family-friendly atmosphere that includes informational booths, shows, games,
tours and contests every October.
Water education programs to youth, ages elementary through high school of our
water supply, water conservation, and environmental issues.
WATER HARVEST FESTIVAL
SCHOOL EDUCATION PROGRAMS

34. www.westbasin.org
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