Southern California Water Agency Allocates $141 Million for Delta Tunnel Planning

The $20 billion project aims to secure water supplies for 19 million residents but faces criticism over costs and environmental impact.

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California approved $141 million for planning and preconstruction of the Delta Conveyance Project, a 45-mile tunnel designed to reroute water under the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
State officials argue the tunnel is essential to address aging water infrastructure and climate change-related shifts in precipitation patterns, benefiting 27 million Californians.
The project, estimated to cost $20 billion, seeks to capture excess water during heavy storms and ensure supply reliability in case of infrastructure failures, such as earthquake damage to Delta levees.
Critics claim the project disproportionately benefits urban and agricultural users while threatening the Delta's fragile ecosystem and local economies in Central Valley communities.
A key vote on whether to proceed with full construction is expected in 2027, with ongoing debates over funding commitments and cost-benefit analyses among participating water agencies.