Scott Houston

West Basin Water Reliability Program Providing a safe and reliable supply of high-quality water to the communities we serve.

Director Scott HoustonWest Basin Municipal Water DistrictDivision IV

El Segundo, Culver City, West Hollywood, Malibu, Topanga, Marina del Rey

California’s Historic Drought

Historic Drought in California

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Lake Oroville - 2014

r

Lake Oroville - 2010

Lake Mead – 2014

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Uncertainty???

Is this the beginning of a mega-drought?

Bay/DeltaLA Aqueduct

Colorado River Aqueduct

State Water Project

Sierra Mountains

Sources of Water for Southern California

Local Groundwater and

Recycling

Conservation

13 WWW.WESTBASIN.ORG

WATER IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IS UNIQUE

WATER SOURCES • Two main sources of water come from Northern California and Colorado River

• Most of the rain falls in the north, most people live in the south

• In addition to imported water, Southern California relies on groundwater and recycled water

RESERVES • State Water Project (SWP) moves water from north to south

• SWP is an engineering feat equal to building the pyramids of Egypt

• 1,250 damns and reservoirs in California

QUALITY OF LIFE

Southern California needs water to protect $1 trillion economy and our way of life


CALIFORNIA WATER CHALLENGES

.• More dependent on imported water than any location on earth

• Arid region, very little rainfall

• Growing population

• Local water supply limitations

• Fragile imported water system

• Competing demands for water

• Our lifestyle and economy depend on water


OVERALL WATER CHALLENGES

.Climate change; loss of snowpack

Colorado River compared to 1930’s Dust Bowl

Scientific studies predicting a dryer future

Reoccurring droughts

Over pumping of groundwater

Great Lakes Compact

20th Century was the wettest

Tree ring studies show 150-200 year long droughts

Bay Delta water system & earthquakes


WEST BASIN MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT

Provides imported drinking water & recycled water to nearly 1 million people in 17 cities

Provides recycled water to municipal, commercial and industrial customers

Public wholesaler water agency est. 1947

Member of The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California


SERVICE AREA


WEST BASIN LEADERSHIP

Division I: Harold C. WilliamsVice President

Division II: Gloria D. GrayPast President

Division III: Carol W. KwanPresident

Division IV: Scott HoustonTreasurer

Division V: Donald L. DearSecretary


WATER RELIABILITY THROUGH SUPPLY DIVERSIFICATION

Ocean Water De-

salina-tion

Recycled Water

Imported WaterGroundwater

Conservation

Projected Water Supply 2025


CONSERVATION PROGRAMS

Distributed over 300,000 water-saving devices

Conservation programs receive 300% return on investments for our customers

Conserved more than 3 billion gallons of imported water, equivalent to 20,000 households

Drought-Resistant Landscape Classes & Greywater Workshops

Ocean-Friendly Gardens

Rain Barrel Distributions

Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility

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WATER RECYCLING FACILITY

Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility, El Segundo

Built in 1995

Conserved 175 Billion Gallons of Drinking Water – enough water to meet the needs of the City of L.A. for one year!

Over 13,000 visitors annually


5 DESIGNER WATERS

1 2 3

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Irrigation Cooling Towers Low Pressure Boilers

High Pressure Boilers Groundwater Replenishment


RECYCLED WATER DISTRIBUTION

110 miles of recycled water pipeline

Invested $600 million in water recycling and conservation projects

State-of-the-art water recycling facility and 3 satellite facilities

Every drop of water we recycled is a drop of drinking water conserved for one of our constituent’s homes or businesses.


CUSTOMERS


SOLUTIONS: DROUGHT-PROOF LOCAL SUPPLY PROJECTS

Expand West Basin recycled water customer base & distribution system

San Diego Ocean Desalination Plant

Orange County Groundwater Replenishment System

Inland Empire Water Purification

Los Angeles Groundwater Cleanup

OCEAN WATER DESALINATION

Responsible research since 2000

74% public support

New reliable local supply

Meets Governor Brown’s California Water Action Plan

Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Process

Will provide 10% of future drinking water supply


FUTURE WATER SUPPLIES

WHAT SHOULD BE OUR FUTURE LOCAL, DROUGHT-PROOF WATER SUPPLIES?

Recycling 82%

Conservation 78%

Ocean Desalination 74%

Diverse local water portfolio 88%

Water shortage will be an issue beyond the current drought

84%


FREE COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

WATER RECYCLING & OCEAN DESALINATION TOURS Tours are provided at the Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility and open to the public. In addition, inspection tours of the Colorado River Aqueduct and the State Water Project are offered throughout the year.

West Basin invites the community to learn about the value of water in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere that includes informational booths, shows, games, tours and contests every October.

Water education programs to youth, ages elementary through high school of our water supply, water conservation, and environmental issues.

WATER HARVEST FESTIVAL

SCHOOL EDUCATION PROGRAMS

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&docid=huEcxEdjDfDRtM&tbnid=JLxrrwnqVVgSoM:&ved=0CAgQjRwwAA&url=http://theblissindex.blogspot.com/2010/02/whiskey-is-for-drinking-water-is-for.html&ei=ATSJUvzUK8OjigK2qoHQDw&psig=AFQjCNG1FqnmFprQS4-Ud3enhmDeJhsxlg&ust=1384809857764282

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=mrnuZUYMPyMM8M&tbnid=Y4xI5VzuVfUjcM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://www.usbr.gov/lc/phoenix/AZ100/1950/whiskey_drinking_water_fighting.html&ei=EDSJUv6zKcrKigLtzYDgAw&bvm=bv.56643336,d.cGE&psig=AFQjCNFWU9kMrdmVt5FNkN--HegXse8IcA&ust=1384809752620589

www.westbasin.orgwww.scotthouston.org

Facebook.com/Scott.Houston.CalifTwitter: @ScottHoustonCA

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Thank you!

Scott Houston

Education

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