Desert Water Agency’s Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) serves as a key planning tool to ensure a reliable and sustainable water supply for current and future generations. Required under California’s Urban Water Management Planning Act, the UWMP is updated every five years and submitted to the California Department of Water Resources. 

The UWMP evaluates DWA’s water supplies and demands over a 20-year planning horizon, accounting for a range of conditions including normal, dry, and multiple dry years. It assesses the reliability of local and imported water sources, outlines conservation and demand management strategies, and identifies actions to maintain long-term water supply reliability. 

DWA collaborates with regional partners to develop the Coachella Valley Regional UWMP, which integrates planning efforts across local water agencies while also addressing DWA-specific conditions and needs. This regional approach supports coordination, data sharing, and consistent planning across the valley, while still maintaining a DWA specific chapter and Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP).  

The WSCP includes planning to prepare for drought and other supply challenges, ensuring the Agency can respond effectively while continuing to provide safe and reliable water. 

Click here to view DWA's Water Shortage Contingency Plan 

DWA’s UWMPs are available to the public, and all submitted plans statewide can be accessed through the California Department of Water Resources’ Water Use Efficiency Data portal here. 

Through the UWMP, DWA advances its commitment to responsible resource management, efficient operations, and long-term sustainability, guiding investments and policies that support a resilient water future for the Coachella Valley.