Metropolitan Water District Allocation Rises to 35%, Ensuring Sufficient Water Supply for 2025

The Metropolitan Water District (MWD) of Southern California will receive an increased allocation of 35 percent from the California Department of Water Resources this year, according to a report by Cynthia Kurtz, Pasadena’s representative on the MWD Board.

The City of Pasadena imports about 60% of its water from the MWD.

Kurtz will present detailed information about the water supply outlook during a meeting of the Pasadena Municipal Services Committee on Tuesday, where she will deliver her first quarterly update to the Committee.

“With the current demand, a 35% allocation will mean MWD has sufficient supply to meet all member agency demands in 2025 and can add to the existing 3.4 million acre feet of water already in storage,” Kurtz said in a preliminary memorandum for the Committee.

The allocation could potentially increase further, as recent storms have brought additional precipitation to the Sierra Nevada mountains since the initial announcement, Kurtz’s report said.

Despite the Colorado River Aqueduct currently being shut down for annual inspection and maintenance, the MWD expects to receive its normal supply of Colorado River water this year due to reserves stored in Lake Mead.

Negotiations over Colorado River water rights have recently resumed after reaching a standstill, with the seven basin states agreeing to produce a framework for a new agreement by May this year and a comprehensive proposal by August.

“Negotiations reopened after January 22 (when) a letter signed by the Senators of all seven Colorado River basin states was received encouraging a seven-state consensus and offering legislative assistance if necessary,” Kurtz reported.

The current water rights agreements expire in late 2026, requiring a new arrangement that addresses both historical over-allocation and reduced water availability due to climate change impacts on the Colorado River system.

Under a proposal from the lower basin states, California would reduce its annual water usage by 440,000 acre-feet as part of taking responsibility for past over-allocation of the river’s resources, Kurtz said.

Meanwhile, MWD continues developing its Climate Adaptation Master Plan for Water, which aims to balance addressing climate change impacts, ensuring long-term water supply reliability, and maintaining affordable rates for consumers.

Kurtz noted that Pasadena has been “very involved” in the Joint Task Force that includes Board directors and general managers from member agencies working on the adaptation plan.

In coming months, MWD expects to adopt several critical tools for decision-making, including a framework for transparent decision processes, performance targets for infrastructure initiatives, criteria for evaluating investments, and strategic business model alternatives, Kurtz said.

Kurtz, who was recently elected to the Metropolitan Water District Board Executive Committee, also chairs a new Ad Hoc Committee on Agriculture and Tribal Relations focused on improving relationships between agricultural and urban water managers.

The Ad Hoc Committee will explore potential expansion of successful programs currently operating with irrigation districts in Blythe and Imperial County into California’s Central Valley and possibly across state lines.

Several California Native American Tribes with water rights are interested in partnerships to manage resources effectively while meeting their needs alongside other water users, according to Kurtz.

In her memorandum, Kurtz, a former City Manager of Pasadena who has held numerous positions in public and nonprofit sectors, also invited Municipal Services Committee members to join a day trip to the Weymouth Water Treatment Plant and Diamond Valley Lake scheduled for May 2.