- Home
- About Us
- Departments
- Water Resources
- Water Resources Planning
- Supply Plans & Rights
- Urban Water Management Plan
Urban Water Management Plan and Drought Contingency Plan
Western is embarking on a collaborative effort to develop resilient, reliable, and fiscally responsible Urban Water Management and Drought Contingency Plans that support our region’s long-term needs.
Urban Water Management Plan 2020
Water agencies in California that serve more than 3,000 customers or 3,000 acre-feet (AF) annually are required by California law to prepare an Urban Water
Management Plan (UWMP or Plan) every five years. The Plan supports Western’s long-term resource planning to ensure that adequate water supplies are available to meet existing and future water needs. The Plan integrates local and regional land use planning, regional water supply, infrastructure, and demand management projects, as well as statewide issues of concern like climate change and regulatory requirements.
2020 Urban Water Management Plan Executive Summary (PDF)
2020 Urban Water Management Plan Appendices (PDF)
2020 Urban Water Management Plan Errata (PDF)
2015 Addendum Delta Reliance (PDF)
Water Shortage Contingency Plan 2022
Western’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) documents Western’s plans to manage and mitigate an actual water shortage condition, should one occur because of drought or other impacts on water supplies. The WSCP incorporates the details described in Western’s retail Ordinance 394. Ordinance 394 establishes an updated retail customer water supply shortage contingency response program (Program). The Program establishes six water shortage stages, implements water supply shortage responses measures, regulates water consumptive within the District to conserve and protect the District’s water supplies, to reduce water consumed, and to prevent waste or reasonable use of water. The Water Code also specifies the contents and procedures for Western’s adoption of the WSCP.
Water Shortage Contingency Plan 2022 (PDF)
Drought Contingency Plan 2022
The United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) has developed a Drought Response Program to improve its ability to assist states, tribes and local governments to prepare for and address drought in advance of a crisis. This Drought Response Program supports a proactive approach to drought by providing assistance to water managers to develop and update comprehensive drought plans.
Western received grant funds to develop a Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) and has two years to complete this effort. Western’s DCP must be adopted and submitted to USBR prior to June 1, 2022 (pending confirmation).
Regional Drought Task Force
Western has invited regional community leaders representing diverse water needs and planning expertise to form an 18-month Drought Task Force (Task Force). The Task Force will inform the UWMP and DCP development by providing critical perspectives and advisement through the project duration.
View a list of Drought Task Force participants here.
Your voice is important. Get Involved.
Western is committed to reflecting the needs and values of our community in our water planning decisions. We encourage all Western customers to help inform the development of the Urban Water Management and Drought Contingency Plans.
Here’s how you can participate:
Subscribe for project updates
To receive periodic updates and reminders of upcoming opportunities to participate in plan development, subscribe to our project email list.
Review and comment on the plans
Once a draft of the complete Urban Water Management and Drought Contingency Plans have been developed, they will be made available for public review and comment for a minimum of 30 days. To be notified when the public comment period has opened, we encourage you to subscribe for project updates.
Drought Task Force Workshop Materials
Upon completion of each Drought Task Force workshop, a recording of the workshop and all workshop materials will be published.
Past Urban Water Management Plans
This plan has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the California Urban Water Management Planning Act, Water Code section 10610 through 10656, and the Water Conservation Act of 2009, Water Code sections 10608 through 10608.64.
The plan provides significant information regarding Western's retail service area, specifically related to water demands and supplies, but also contains information on a regional basis related to demands and supplies within the 527-square mile service area. Western has used a specific method for determining its urban water use target pursuant to subdivision (b) of section 10608.20 of the Water Conservation Act of 2009.
Contact Us
To learn more about the Urban Water Management Plan and/or Drought Contingency Plan development or to request ADA accommodations for workshops or materials, please contact:
Melissa Matlock
Water Resources Specialist II
mmatlock@wmwd.com
Note: Any person with a disability or language translation request who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in meetings should direct requests to Western at least 48 hours prior to any public meeting.