Climate Change Requires a Different Paradigm for California's Water Supply

Jeff Kightlinger, general manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, explains how the impacts of California’s historic drought are already changing the landscape of the American Southwest.

2 minute read

August 26, 2016, 10:00 AM PDT

By rzelen @rzelen


Shasta

David Greitzer / Shutterstock

The largest water supplier in Southern California, Metropolitan Water District, oversees 19 million people, 14 cities, 11 water districts, and one county water authority. In the recent historic drought, the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) has made news for establishing the largest water conservation rebate program in the history of country: roughly $450 million in a two-year period with $350 million going to turf rebates and $100 million going to water-efficient home appliances. Going forward, MWD is looking to find even more creative solutions to conserving water and ensuring a sustainable future in Southern California.  

General Manager Jeff Kightlinger joined The Planning Report to discuss how climate change impacts on California's water supply are requiring MWD to prioritize differently and move forward with zero expectations of available water.

As Kightlinger puts it simply: "climate change is very real, and we believe we are already seeing the impacts on our water supply." He explains how just the change to getting more rain and less snow can "alone can change everything from when water is available, to how we have to move it, to the best infrastructure for the job."

Kightlinger, a Governor’s appointee to the California’s Bay Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force, also sheds light on MWD challenges and progress to restore habitat and increase biodiversity in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Finally, Kightlinger explains how MWD is engaging in ongoing discussions on the Colorado River, which is often referred to as the “lifeblood of the American Southwest including Mexico." The Colorado River has been in drought for the last 16 years, and Kightlinger explains that all stakeholders are all going to have to reduce our annual demands on the Colorado River. Kightlinger explains that California, Nevada, and Arizona, which make up the river’s Lower Basin, are "working on contingency plans to develop cooperative inter-state programs that will help each state mitigate and cope with the effects of the drought."

Read more about the future of Southern California's drought strategy in The Planning Report.

Wednesday, August 24, 2016 in The Planning Report

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.