Dos Amigos Pumping Plant is located on the California Aqueduct San Luis Canal in Merced County, California. The State Water Project facility lifts water over 100 feet from the aqueduct as it flows south from O’Neill Forebay and just east of Interstate 5. Photo taken May 12, 2023 by DWR.

STATE WATER CONTRACTORS’ statement regarding President Trump’s Executive Order to maximize water deliveries to Southern California

This is the second major action focused on California Water Policy in Trump’s second term

Press release from the State Water Contractors

This Sunday, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order directing federal agencies to maximize water deliveries to Southern California and “override existing activities that unduly burden efforts to maximize water deliveries.”

Statement from Jennifer Pierre, General Manager of the State Water Contractors:

“The State Water Contractors appreciate President Trump’s support for our California water users. As stewards of more than half of California’s water supply, managing water that serves one in twelve Americans, our focus is always on working toward a stronger and more resilient water future for our cities, farms and environment.

California’s current set of water delivery regulations are guided by real-time science to maximize water supplies and deliveries for all users in compliance with the law and based on the best available information.

This real-time, data-driven approach has been successful and is a huge step forward from where we used to be as a state. But we can still do more. The State Water Contractors welcome ongoing coordination with state and federal leaders to ensure continued improvements in water reliability through the water system.

California’s water infrastructure is vast and sophisticated, but it is also outdated. Our aging infrastructure directly impacts California’s ability to deliver and store water at the times and in the volumes needed. Projects like delta conveyance, addressing subsidence and improving our storage capacity will give California, and especially southern California, the resiliency it needs.

We look forward to working with partners at all levels of government to better understand the recent Executive Order and January 20 Memo in order to work together to modernize our infrastructure and benefit all users.”