Site work for a water / sewer project in Morgan Hill, California. Working plans call for site work for a water / sewer project.

https://valleywaternews.org/2026/01/05/video-why-valley-water-is-evaluating-californias-delta-conveyance-project/ Every day, Santa Clara County relies on a mix of local and imported water to meet our community’s water needs. As climate change brings longer and more severe droughts, Valley Water is exploring ways to strengthen our water supply. One key project under evaluation is the State of California’s Delta Conveyance Project. To plan for a reliable supply of safe, clean water now and in the future, Valley Water follows the Water Supply Master Plan 2050. This long-term plan guides investments that support water reliability, sustainability, and resilience in the decades ahead. The Delta Conveyance Project is one of the projects included in the Water Supply Master Plan 2050. The project is the state’s proposal to modernize the way water moves through the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta. About 40% of Santa Clara County’s water flows through Delta waterways constructed by man-made levees. However, the existing infrastructure is aging and vulnerable to sea-level rise, earthquakes, and flooding. The Delta Conveyance Project would reduce these risks by upgrading and protecting this key part of California’s water system. The project would also give the state more flexibility in how and when water is diverted. It would allow water to be captured during large but infrequent storm events, giving us the opportunity to store that water for use in dry periods when we need it the most. This could improve water reliability and help protect fish and wildlife that live and migrate through the Delta. If built, the project would include two new intake structures on the Sacramento River near Sacramento, where water quality is better. Water would pass through advanced fish screens and into a single tunnel beneath the Delta, which would carry it to existing pumping facilities in the south. Valley Water is one of 18 agencies funding the project’s planning and design phase, having committed up to $20.7 million through 2026 for planning, permitting, and design. In 2027, the Valley Water Board is scheduled to decide whether to participate in the construction phase. If the Board moves forward, Valley Water’s share of construction costs is currently estimated at $650 million. The full Delta Conveyance Project is estimated to cost $20.1 billion (in 2023 dollars). Evaluating the Delta Conveyance Project is one part of Valley Water’s broader effort to secure long-term water reliability. Local projects such as water recycling, groundwater management and the Anderson Dam Seismic Retrofit Project, also help ensure Santa Clara County can withstand the impacts of climate change and future droughts. To learn more about how we manage and invest in the county’s water future, visit valleywater.org or explore more resources on our long-term planning efforts -------------------------------------- https://valleywaternews.org/2025/12/29/an-overview-of-valley-waters-annual-capital-improvement-program-3/ Every year, Valley Water develops its Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Five-Year Plan, which is a rolling annual plan for funding the projects needed to maintain a strong and reliable water system for Santa Clara County. The plan includes project descriptions, estimated schedules, costs and planned funding sources for these critical infrastructure investments. The CIP helps us prioritize long-term investments such as repairing aging systems, enhancing flood protection and planning for climate change challenges. The plan also aligns our efforts with local agencies to support coordinated planning for the region. Together, these projects work to ensure that our water supply remains clean, dependable, and sustainable for years to come. In May 2025, the Valley Water Board of Directors approved the CIP FY 2026-30 Five-Year Plan. This plan includes 76 projects estimated to cost $10.32 billion. The projects focus on improving water supply, protecting against floods, restoring the environment, and upgrading technology. On Aug. 26, 2025, the Board of Directors suspended work on the Pacheco Reservoir Expansion Project, which had been included in the CIP. Valley Water remains committed to exploring sustainable, cost-effective ways to secure and protect the region’s water supply. As we look ahead, this commitment is reflected in how we evaluate and refine the CIP each year. Our planning process is continuous, transparent and designed to adapt to changing conditions. Each summer, Valley Water reviews every active and proposed capital project. Staff updates plans to reflect any changes to cost, schedule, or scope. New project ideas are also considered based on several factors, such as: The need to repair or replace aging infrastructure to protect public health and safety The expected lifespan of existing systems Available funding and resources The urgency of the work This review process starts in July and continues into spring. Throughout the year, the Board has multiple opportunities to provide direction, helping shape the CIP Draft and Final Five-Year Plans. On Jan. 13, 2026, Valley Water will hold a Board work-study session to review the CIP Preliminary Five-Year Plan and Preliminary Groundwater Production Charges. This helps ensure the projects align with the Board’s priorities. On March 10, 2026, staff will present the CIP Draft FY 2027-31 Five-Year Plan for Board approval, after which it will undergo a 60-day public review period. Additionally, Valley Water will also share the Draft with local cities and the County of Santa Clara for consistency with their general plans. On April 28 and 29, 2026, Valley Water will hold a public hearing and formally receive community input. The Board will close the hearing on May 12, 2026, when staff presents the CIP Final FY 2027-31 Five-Year Plan and the FY 2027-28 biennial budget for approval. The CIP Committee, made up of three Board members, meets monthly to discuss project priorities and provide detailed feedback. These meetings are open to the public—visit our Board Committee’s webpage to see upcoming dates. Ultimately, the CIP is about more than projects—it’s about protecting our water future. Each investment supports clean, reliable water, healthy ecosystems, and flood-safe communities. If you’d like to explore the full plan or see last year’s version, visit our CIP webpage. Photo caption: An aerial picture of the work taking place at Anderson Dam in October 2025, which includes completing a new outlet tunnel and diversion outlet structure. ------------------------------------------------------ Q&A Deadline January 28, 2025 11:59 PM (PST) Deadline to submit questions regarding the prequalification process, Prequalification Application, or comparable project experience. The Project objective is to replace most of the existing dam embankment with a zoned earthen embankment to withstand the maximum considered earthquake (MCE), replace existing outlet works to meet Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD) emergency drawdown criteria, and replace the existing spillway to convey the probable maximum flood (PMF). Duration of construction will be 7 years with embankment construction occurring in year 2 through year 6 with annual interim dam elevation requirements and auxiliary spillway construction. *The value for this project is based on a financial range. The value is listed as the highest possible cost from the range provided by a stakeholder or official project document. Shortlist Confirmed