City Looks to Local Water Sources as Officials Weigh Long-Term Supply Challenges

City officials expressed confidence Tuesday that the city will have enough water to meet projected demand through 2050, but some policymakers questioned whether regional water supplies will remain reliable as climate change and infrastructure uncertainties continue to threaten the state’s water system.

The Municipal Services Committee (MSC) unanimously recommended approval of Pasadena’s 2025 Urban Water Management Plan, a state-mandated document updated every five years that outlines the city’s long-term water supply outlook and response plans for drought and other emergencies.

Councilmember Rick Cole questioned whether the city’s long-range assumptions adequately account for climate change and potential disruptions to imported water supplies.

“I am not persuaded that we are prepared for climate change,” Cole said. “I am not persuaded that the MWD is capable of supplying reliable water through 2050.”

Cole cited concerns about declining Colorado River supplies, shrinking Sierra Nevada snowpack and uncertainty surrounding the Delta Conveyance Project, a proposed tunnel system intended to improve the reliability of water deliveries from Northern California.

“The Delta conveyance is not,” Cole said, referring to the project’s uncertain future. “I think we are on our own and we can’t depend on MWD.”

Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) officials acknowledged those concerns but said the utility’s strategy is built around maintaining a diverse portfolio of water sources and increasing local reliability.

Chief Assistant General Manager Stacie Takeguchi said the city continues to invest in groundwater production wells, treatment facilities, spreading basin improvements and regional partnerships designed to strengthen local supplies and improve resilience during droughts and emergencies.

Councilmember Tyrone Hampton also raised concerns about the long-term reliability of imported supplies and asked whether Pasadena’s growing population could strain water resources.

Takaguchi said conservation efforts have allowed water consumption to fall even as the population has increased.

“We’re able to support increased growth, increased population without further straining our water supplies,” Takaguchi said.

Hampton urged the city to pursue additional groundwater recharge projects to increase local water independence.

“I’m hoping that within the next year, two years, we see more recharge projects coming through so that we can continue to strengthen our portfolio,” Hampton said.

According to Pasadena Water and Power staff, the plan concludes that projected groundwater and imported water supplies will be sufficient to meet expected demand under normal conditions, single-year droughts and multiple consecutive dry years through 2050.

“Our analysis shows that our projected water supplies are sufficient to meet expected demands through 2050,” Principal Engineer Roumiana Voutchkova told the committee during a presentation on the plan.

The city receives roughly one-third to one-half of its water from local groundwater sources, with the remainder imported through the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Imported supplies originate primarily from Northern California and the Colorado River.

The report projects that water demand will continue to decline despite population growth because of conservation efforts, more efficient appliances and state water-use regulations.

The city currently serves approximately 165,000 people and used about 26,400 acre-feet of water last year, according to staff. Residential customers account for roughly two-thirds of total demand.

Committee Chair Justin Jones stressed the importance of accelerating local water supply projects, including new production wells, groundwater recharge initiatives and recycled water programs.

Jones also added that MWD is a partner and that they are working on creating additional storage because of quicker snow melt and heavy rain.

Jones said future committee discussions should focus on projects within the city’s direct control rather than regional systems managed by outside agencies.

Before voting, Cole successfully amended his motion to recommend approval of the plan while underscoring the need to maximize local groundwater resources and monitor progress over the coming year.

The committee approved the recommendation unanimously and forwarded it to the City Council for final consideration.

The City Council is expected to conduct a public hearing and consider adoption of the Urban Water Management Plan before the state’s July 1 submission deadline.