The CAMP4W marks a historic shift for MWD, placing climate change at the core of its planning and emphasizing local water supplies. This move is crucial for addressing water sustainability and climate resilience across the United States.

June 12, 2024

Maura Monagan, Policy & Government Affairs Manager at LA Waterkeeper & Justin Breck, Climate Resilience Fellow at LA Waterkeeper

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) may not be a household name, but as the largest supplier of treated water in the United States, its policies affect millions. MWD serves 26 public water agencies which then deliver water to approximately 19 million people across Southern California alone.

With such a vast network of imported water sources, MWD's decisions have the potential to impact 60 million Americans across seven western states and even Mexico. The energy-intensive nature of transporting and treating water also makes MWD a key player in California's climate strategy at large.

Unfortunately, MWD has historically relied on unsustainable water sources like the Colorado River and the State Water Project. But faced with the realities of climate change and prolonged droughts (i.e., “aridification”), MWD has finally begun taking steps toward building a more resilient water future for the region.

A Time of Transformation

Some of this shift has been driven by necessity. MWD’s imported sources of supply have become progressively unreliable due to climate change and over-allocation. Extended periods of drought have led to smaller snowpacks and less snowmelt runoff to feed the rivers that supply this water. Moreover, climate change is creating heavier and wetter precipitation events, putting the infrastructure that most imported water supplies rely on (e.g., dams, aqueducts, canals, etc.) at greater risk of damage and costly repairs.

But some of this shift has been more deliberate. For example, the agency has made significant efforts in recent years to prioritize its long-term stability, highlighted by the hiring of Adel Hagekhalil as General Manager and first-ever Chief Sustainability, Resiliency, and Innovation Officer, Liz Crosson.

At the heart of this transformation is the Climate Adaptation Master Plan for Water, or CAMP4W. This plan aims to expand MWD's water supply portfolio, boost water efficiency and reliability, and increase local, resilient water sources. CAMP4W also strives to keep water rates affordable while improving MWD's financial stability.

The implementation of CAMP4W marks a revolutionary shift for MWD in its nearly 100-year history. For the first time, MWD is centering climate change in its planning and investment decisions, and prioritizing the need for more local water supplies. Given MWD's vast influence, this shift is not just a regional milestone but also a crucial step in addressing water sustainability and climate resilience across the whole United States.

Progress So Far

This past April, MWD staff released the CAMP4W Year One Progress Report. The report provides an outline of the CAMP4W framework, establishing criteria to help MWD weigh important climate change factors in their decision-making. It sets targets and goals for the near, mid, and long term, and introduces “signposts” to track how climate projections align with real-world conditions. These signposts can then be used to guide target revisions and inform MWD’s investment decisions at different project stages.

While the actual implementation of CAMP4W will not occur until the end of the year, the ongoing development of this framework has been promising. MWD has been taking deliberate and thoughtful measures to integrate climate change considerations into their operations—an unprecedented move for the agency. Given MWD’s long and complex history, any progress toward reform is a significant and positive development. 

Overhauling an Unsustainable Business Model 

Another key goal of CAMP4W is reforming the agency’s business model. Currently, MWD's financial viability relies on the sale of imported water. However, successful conservation efforts during recent droughts and record-low water imports have led to massive revenue losses for MWD. These losses have persisted even in recent wet years, as people tend to use less water when there is significant rainfall. 

To help inform MWD’s reform efforts, last September, LA Waterkeeper commissioned a technical memorandum to catalyze conversation and gather expert insights on what a renewed MWD business model could look like. This memo, developed by renowned water rate expert Sanjay Gaur, was designed to help guide and inform key policy discussions among MWD’s board, staff, and the broader public. 

The memo aimed to catalyze conversation and gather expert insights on renewing MWD’s business model, identifying changes that would incentivize conservation, ensure long-term financial health, and maximize affordability for Angelenos, especially our most vulnerable residents. LA Waterkeeper looks forward to engaging further on this issue, and we believe our memo marks a promising beginning toward the larger reforms to come at MWD. 

A Community-Driven Effort

It’s important to note that MWD cannot achieve its monumental goals without community input and support. To that end, LA Waterkeeper also hosted an MWD Advocacy Training earlier this year that was attended by nearly 30 organizations, including NGOs, CBOs, tribes, and faith-based groups. This event aimed to educate participants about MWD and how to effectively engage with the agency and advocate for change.    

Following the training, a “MWD Network” was formed to provide a forum for ongoing engagement with MWD and the CAMP4W process. This includes opportunities to testify at MWD committee and board meetings and attend policy presentations. Although CAMP4W’s community engagement strategy is not yet fully developed, we continue to urge MWD to prioritize and ensure significant, meaningful community involvement throughout their planning processes. 

Why This Matters

The significance of MWD’s recent efforts to shift toward local, climate-resilient water supplies cannot be overstated. In the face of climate change, developing sustainable water supplies is not just a goal—it’s a necessity. Our heavy reliance on long-distance water imports is energy-intensive and vulnerable to damage. By focusing on practices like water recycling, stormwater capture, and conservation, we can reduce our environmental footprint and ensure a stable, resilient water supply for the future. 

We applaud the progress made so far and are optimistic about this new era for MWD. The agency’s commitment to adaptive management and climate-focused strategies marks a critical turning point. This approach promises to secure a resilient and sustainable water future for Southern California, ensuring we can meet the needs of our communities for generations to come. 

Get Involved

Organizations interested in joining LA Waterkeeper’s MWD Network can do so by emailing our Policy & Government Affairs Manager Maura Monagan (maura@lawaterkeeper.org), and stay informed by subscribing to our newsletters. You can also check out MWD’s calendar for upcoming meetings and opportunities to make your voice heard. Together, we can secure LA’s water future.