In what is undeniably a significant blow to water storage efforts in the face of escalating drought conditions, the ambitious $1.5 billion expansion of the Los Vaqueros Reservoir has officially been shelved. After over seven years of planning and the accumulation of millions in expenses, the plan to share the expanded reservoir's water across the Bay Area has foundered amidst rising costs and diminished project viability. In a statement obtained by Contra Costa Water District (CCWD), Board President Ernie Avila conveyed the board's consensus that continuing the project was no longer a responsible use of public funds, given the current circumstances.
According to the Marin Independent Journal, the project initially secured $477 million in state funding during former Governor Jerry Brown's administration but has since seen costs swell to nearly $1.6 billion. Further complicating matters, the California Department of Fish and Game mandated more stringent permit requirements for water extraction from the Delta based on safeguarding the endangered Delta smelt. These new standards can reduce the project's water yield by up to 30%. Meanwhile, the eight major water agencies involved could not reach a consensus on financial risk-sharing, with disagreements coming to the fore regarding who should bear additional costs that could arise due to overruns or regulatory issues.
Contributions to the project's development from water agencies have seen a precipitous decline; for example, the East Bay Municipal Water District withdrew completely, and the Santa Clara Valley Water District reduced its commitment by a significant margin, according to Rachel Murphy, general manager of CCWD. These agencies investigate more cost-effective solutions, such as underground storage and increased water conservation strategies. The change in focus reflects the shifting perceptions around the value proposition of the Los Vaqueros expansion in an era where every dollar invested counts towards sustainability. Murphy told the Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) news release that the project is no longer viable, highlighting increased costs, reduced benefits, and the challenge of reaching partner agreements.
