COMMITTEE AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Environmental and Water Resources Committee
Government Code § 84308 Applies: Yes ☐ No ☒
(If “YES” Complete Attachment A - Gov. Code § 84308)
SUBJECT: title
Provide Feedback on Valley Water’s Water Supply Master Plan Annual Monitoring and Assessment Program Report.
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RECOMMENDATION: Recommendation
Provide Feedback on the Water Supply Master Plan Annual Monitoring and Assessment Program Report.
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SUMMARY:
The Water Supply Master Plan (WSMP) is Santa Clara Valley Water District’s (Valley Water) guiding document for long-term water supply investments to ensure water supply reliability for Santa Clara County. The WSMP 2050, adopted in 2025, is Valley Water’s current plan. The WSMP 2050 recommends an adaptive management strategy that supports investment decisions amid uncertainties in future conditions and project development. The adaptive framework includes a roadmap and annual reporting.
Annual reporting through the Monitoring and Assessment Program (MAP) is a critical component of WSMP’s adaptive management strategy for managing uncertainty. As the first annual report for the WSMP 2050, a standard MAP report format was developed to track key elements of the WSMP, including progress on projects, conditions of indicators, and whether any adjustments are recommended. The standardized report will help the Board and community know what to expect each year; incorporate the WSMP into the decision-making process for individual projects by reporting project status and progress within the WSMP framework; and provide continuity and consistency over time. This memorandum summarizes the key elements of the MAP report.
Project Status
The WSMP 2050 included recommended and backup water supply, storage and other infrastructure projects, as well as baseline projects and programs that are part of the Capital Improvement Program or Operating Budget. Those projects include:
• Recommended Projects - Pure Water Silicon Valley, Delta Conveyance Project,
B.F. Sisk Dam Raise, Groundwater Banking, and South County Recharge. These projects consist of Lower Cost strategy.
• Backup Projects - Palo Alto Potable Reuse, Local Seawater Desalination, Refinery Recycled Water Exchange, and Sites Reservoir.
• Baseline Projects and Programs - Local Dams Retrofit (Anderson, Almaden, Calero, Coyote, Guadalupe), Non-potable Recycled Water, and Water Conservation.
The MAP report (Attachment 1) provides a status update on each of these projects, including major activities and milestones since 2025, project cost and timeline, upcoming activities and project decisions, and risks and challenges. Overall, the projects are progressing along their timeline and trajectory, with exception of two backup projects (Palo Alto Potable Reuse, Refinery Recycled Water Exchange) that are remaining inactive.
Indicators and Trends
The MAP monitors a set of indicators that provide a real-time view of water supply conditions and broader trends that may affect the WSMP 2050 strategy, including:
• Hydrologic Conditions
• Annual Water Use
• Annual Water Supply Conditions
• Growth
• Regulatory Conditions
Together with project updates, these indicators and trends help Valley Water determine whether to remain on the current course or adjust the roadmap and recommended portfolio. As of this MAP reporting, both indicators and trends suggest no major changes to either supply or demand conditions and other conditions, and therefore no changes to the WSMP recommendations.
Emerging Opportunities
In between WSMP planning cycles, new project and program ideas or proposals could emerge that warrant further evaluation within the water supply planning framework. As of the time of this report, no major project proposals or opportunities have emerged. Valley Water continues to collaborate with regional partners to investigate opportunities for regional collaboration.
Recommendations
Since the adoption of the WSMP, the recommended projects have progressed and are generally on track. There are no emerging risks and challenges that currently threaten the trajectory of these projects. Both indicators and trends suggest no major changes to either supply or demand conditions. Therefore, it is recommended that Valley Water stay the course as laid out in the WSMP:
• continuing to pursue Lower Cost strategy and implement baseline projects and programs,
• continuing to plan for other backup projects, and
• evaluating new opportunities as they emerge.
Next Steps
Staff will bring the MAP update to the Board in October.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IMPACT:
The Water Supply Master Plan addresses water supply equity by ensuring a cost-effective, high-quality supply is available for all of Santa Clara County, including disadvantaged communities.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: MAP Report
Attachment 2: PowerPoint
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER:
Manager
Kirsten Struve, 408-630-3138