West Basin adopts 2025 water plan, projecting 18% drop in imported water demand
West Basin Municipal Water District, California · Meeting date: June 22, 2026 · Published: June 23, 2026
The California wholesaler will rely on a 13% increase in recycled water capacity and sustained Level 3 conservation measures to offset imported water reliance and maintain reliability against droughts.
Key points
- The Board unanimously adopted the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan and Water Shortage Contingency Plan.
- Imported water demand is projected to drop 18% from the historic average since 2018, offset by a 13% increase in recycled water use.
- The District will maintain Shortage Level 3 conservation actions to suppress demand by 10% and prevent a rebound to historical unconstrained potable use.
- A $7.6 million standby charge was approved for FY 2026-2027 to help finance debt service for the district's recycled water program.
Full report
The West Basin Municipal Water District Board of Directors unanimously adopted its 2025 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) and FY 2026-2027 Annual Water Supply and Demand Assessment (AWSDA) on June 22, outlining a long-term strategy to insulate its service area from drought through expanded water recycling and sustained conservation.
According to the newly adopted AWSDA, the district projects an 18% reduction in imported water demand compared to the long-term historic average since 2018. This reduction is largely driven by an anticipated 13% overall increase in recycled water use, supported by capital projects improving production capacity and increased recycled water barrier use.
Michael Steele, a consultant from Water Systems Consulting who helped develop the UWMP, noted that West Basin's diversified supply and conservation measures, alongside regional storage investments by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, mean there are no anticipated water shortages under normal, single-dry, or multi-year drought scenarios.
Despite having sufficient supply to meet current demands, the district will maintain its Shortage Level 3 conservation actions. Spencer Waterman, also of Water Systems Consulting, explained during the meeting that these actions are currently suppressing demand by approximately 10%. Maintaining Level 3 measures is intended to prevent a rebound to the historically high unconstrained potable water use levels seen in 2018.
"Overall, you end up seeing supply equaling demand with that continued conservation preventing rebound to historical high water use levels," Waterman said.
To financially support the recycled water infrastructure enabling this shift, the Board also held a public hearing and approved a standby charge for FY 2026-2027. The charge, which has been levied since 1991, will generate an estimated $7.6 million to help finance debt service associated with the district's recycled water program. Pursuant to a 2022 settlement agreement, the standby charge is undergoing a phased reduction and will be entirely eliminated for remaining settlement class properties by June 30, 2030.
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Source: Board of Directors Meeting, West Basin Municipal Water District