Metropolitan Announces Increased State Water Project Allocation

Water agency says wet December and smart management allow for more Southern California supplies this year.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 6:47pm

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The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California has announced that the California Department of Water Resources has increased the State Water Project allocation to 30%. Metropolitan's general manager Shivaji Deshmukh said this reflects the wet December weather and effective water management, allowing Metropolitan to meet more of the region's water demands with state supplies this year.

Why it matters

The State Water Project and Colorado River are the two main sources of imported water for Southern California, providing about half of the region's total water supply. Fluctuations in these supplies due to weather patterns and management decisions can have significant impacts on water availability and pricing for millions of residents and businesses.

The details

Deshmukh noted that the increased State Water Project allocation is valuable given the very dry January and low snowpack in the northern Sierra Nevada mountains. However, snowpack levels in the Colorado River Basin, Metropolitan's other major imported water source, remain at historically low levels, underscoring the importance of capturing and managing available supplies.

  • The California Department of Water Resources increased the State Water Project allocation to 30% on January 29, 2026.

The players

Metropolitan Water District

The regional water agency that provides water to 26 member public agencies serving 19 million people in six counties in Southern California.

Shivaji Deshmukh

General Manager of the Metropolitan Water District.

California Department of Water Resources

The state agency responsible for managing the State Water Project, California's largest state-built water storage and delivery system.

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What they’re saying

“This increased allocation reflects the wet December enjoyed across much of our state, coupled with smart water management by the Department of Water Resources. And thanks to Metropolitan's investment in the State Water Project, it means we will be able to meet more Southern California demands with state supplies this year.”

— Shivaji Deshmukh, General Manager, Metropolitan Water District (BusinessWire)

What’s next

Metropolitan will continue to monitor snowpack levels in the Sierra Nevada and Colorado River Basin, and work with the Department of Water Resources to manage State Water Project supplies to meet the region's water needs.

The takeaway

Despite ongoing drought conditions, strategic water management and investments in diverse supply sources allow Metropolitan to reliably meet Southern California's water demands, highlighting the importance of proactive planning and infrastructure to ensure water security.