The Delta Conveyance Project is a proposed modernization of the State Water Project (SWP) designed to improve the reliability and resilience of California’s water delivery system. The project includes construction of a single, underground tunnel to convey water through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, a critical hub in the state’s water supply system. 

The Delta is currently served by aging infrastructure that is vulnerable to climate change impacts, including sea level rise, extreme weather events and seismic risk. The Delta Conveyance Project is intended to improve the state’s ability to capture and move water during high-flow periods, while helping protect water quality and stabilize deliveries over time. 

Desert Water Agency (DWA), as one of 29 State Water Project contractors, relies on this water delivery system to supplement local groundwater supplies. In late 2024, DWA’s Board of Directors voted to continue funding the next phase of planning and pre-construction work for the project, reflecting its ongoing commitment to improving SWP reliability. 

While still in the planning and permitting stages, the project represents a long-term investment in California’s water infrastructure. If implemented, it could help DWA better capture available water in wet years and improve reliability in years when State Water Project allocations are limited, supporting groundwater replenishment and long-term supply planning in the Coachella Valley. 

The California Department of Water Resources approved the project and certified the final Environmental Impact Report in December 2023.  

For more information, visit www.deltaconveyanceproject.com