search menu language expand_more Local Water Agency Director Login print mail The Integrated Water Resources Plan Planning is a hallmark of Metropolitan. It's what makes us successful in delivering water reliability to a region with limited local resources. Since 1996, we've looked 25 years ahead to assess the needs of Southern California and adapt to ever-evolving challenges. The Integrated Water Resources Plan, updated about every five years, is an indispensable tool that guides our water supply investments, programs and policies. It allows our member agencies to make their plans for water deliveries in their service areas. The result - Southern California water supplies are reliable and Metropolitan is braced for change. Threats to our water supply remain. Uncertainties with how climate change, natural disasters, and regulatory requirements, along with Southern California's population and economy, will impact the region's water supply and demands, require us to continue to adapt and plan to secure our future. Preparing for the uncertainties ahead is critical. That's why in 2020 we initiated a new IRP process with a fresh approach, looking at multiple scenarios that could play out in the future and how Metropolitan could respond to maintain water reliability for the region. Our IRP planning does not take place in a vacuum. It is coordinated consistent with other long-term plans such as the new Climate Action Plan and Metropolitan's 2020 Urban Water Management Plan. Metropolitan's IRP is also coordinated with member agency plans to develop local resources. Contact us for more information about the 2020 IRP planning process. The 2020 IRP A New Way to Prepare The IRP anticipates how much water Southern California can expect from its imported and local supplies, and forecasts regional water demands. Understanding the gap between supplies and demand helps set the targets to maintain reliability and inform the board on what actions Metropolitan and its member agencies can take to close that gap. But past plans looked at a single forecast. Given all the uncertainties we face, the 2020 IRP looks at multiple scenarios that could plausibly unfold in the future. From these collaborative exercises, we are investigating resources, policies, and investments needed to maintain reliable water supplies through 2045. We are developing an adaptive management strategy along with a series of performance measures and reality checks to help inform us on what plausible future we are heading towards, so that plans can be adjusted as needed. The IRP Process: Envisioning the Future Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Determine What Will Impact Our Future Identify the uncertain factors that could challenge or benefit Southern California’s water supply. Climate change Economics and demographics Legislation and regulations Federal and state support Technological advances in water Aging infrastructure An Expert View Metropolitan has enlisted the support of expert consultants in the fields of water demand and climate change to help us better understand the key drivers affecting future water reliability. These experts responded to initial charge questions from Metropolitan staff, engaged with board members and member agency staff during workshops, and continue to respond to follow up questions. Their final memos will be included in the appendices to the IRP. Future Water Demands: What the Experts Say Southern California’s future population growth, housing mix and economy are drivers that will have considerable influence on future demands on Metropolitan supplies. To better understand these drivers, Metropolitan enlisted five consultants with diverse expertise in these issues. On March 23, 2021, they participated in a three-hour board workshop to share insights on key influences of future water demands in Southern California. Lisa Maddaus Co-owner and senior water resources engineer with Maddaus Water Management Inc. Stephen Levy Director and Senior Economist of the Center for Continuing Study of the California Economy in Palo Alto Dan Rodrigo Senior Vice President and Global One Water Practice Leader for CDM Smith Dr. Thomas Chestnut CEO of A & N Technical Services, Inc. Dr. Kurt Scwabe Expert on economic issues and water use, agricultural production, urban water conservation, ecosystem services, and environmental regulation Learn about the insights they provided: Experts Workshop Recording (March 23, 2021) Summary of IRP Workshop Summary of IRP Expert Responses to Charge Questions What Did the Experts Say? A Summary of the Water Demands Workshop Climate Change and Water: What the Experts Say Southern California’s water future will be profoundly impacted by our changing climate. Science can’t provide a precise answer, given how future decisions will impact future levels of greenhouse gas emissions. But experts studying climate change can provide a range of potential futures to assist Metropolitan in updating the district’s long-term water strategy. On May 25, the Metropolitan Board of Directors held a three-hour workshop to listen to four climate change experts provide insights into their research and their thoughts on prudent planning. Dr. Heidi Roop Assistant Professor, University of Minnesota Department of Soil, Water and Climate Julie Vano Research Director at Aspen Global Change Institute Brad Udall Senior Water and Climate Research Scientist at Colorado Water Institute, Colorado State University Heather Cooley Director of Research at the Pacific Institute Learn about the insights they provided: Experts Workshop Recording (May 25, 2021) What Did the Experts Say? A Summary of the Climate Change Workshop Summary of Preliminary Responses Preliminary Responses to Charge Questions 25 Years of Successful Planning The year 2020 marked the conclusion of a 25-year planning cycle that was first envisioned by Metropolitan’s inaugural IRP in 1996. And Metropolitan has never been more reliable. Regional water demands are far lower than expected, thanks in large part to Southern Californians adopting and maintaining water-saving behaviors. Metropolitan has also stored a record amount of water for drought or other emergencies. 2020 IRP Resources Data & Analysis 2020 IRP Preliminary Analysis Assumptions Refined Data File Structure (June 2021) Refined Gap Analysis Assumptions (June 2021) 2020 Refined Analysis Data (June 2021) Preliminary Analysis Assumptions (December 2020) Board & Member Agency Workgroup Presentations Board Presentations Discussion of IRP Portfolios and Adaptive Management Implementation Considerations (September 28, 2021) Approach for Developing IRP Scenario-Based Portfolios (July 27, 2021) Refined Water Supply and Demand Gap Analysis (June 22, 2021) IRP Joint Workshop On Climate Change (May 25, 2021) IRP Joint Workshop on Demands (March 23, 2021) IRP Policy Discussion on Portfolio Development (Feb. 23, 2021) IRP Upcoming Workshops with Demand and Climate Expert Consultants (Feb. 23, 2021) IRP Policy Discussion (Jan. 26, 2021) Integrated Resources Plan Retrospective Comments and Feedback (Jan. 26, 2021) Draft Retrospective Review of 2015 Integrated Resources Plan (Dec. 15, 2020) Preliminary Gap Analysis of the 2020 Integrated Resources Plan (Dec. 15, 2020) Policy Implications of the Preliminary Gap Analysis (Dec. 15, 2020) Draft Scenario Assumptions and Preliminary Analysis (Oct. 27, 2020) Draft Scenarios and Next Steps for Analysis and Outreach (Sept. 22, 2020) Integrated Water Resources Plan Purpose and Benefit (Aug. 17, 2020) Development of an Example Scenario: Analytical Approach and Decision Support (Aug. 17, 2020) Constructing Scenarios: Qualitative-Quantitative Assessment (July 28, 2020) Integrated Resources Plan: Retrospective Review of the 2015 IRP (June 23, 2020) Integrated Resources Plan: Drivers of Change, Survey Results, and Constructing Scenarios (June 23, 2020) 2020 IRP: Update on Schedule and Outreach (May 26, 2020) 2020 IRP: Update on Drivers of Change (May 26, 2020) 2020 IRP Scenario Planning and Outreach (April 28, 2020) Update on 2020 Integrated Resources Plan Process (Feb. 25, 2020) Member Agency Presentations Discussion of IRP Portfolios and Key Findings (Nov. 16, 2021) Portfolio Planning Approach (July 14, 2021) Update on Upcoming IRP Workshops (March 12, 2021) IRP Update: Scenario Assumption Refinements (Feb. 22, 2021) Coordination of Activities (Feb. 12, 2021) IRP Update (Feb. 12, 2021) IRP Update:  Discussion of Reliability (Jan. 15, 2021) IRP Update (Dec. 11, 2020) Preliminary Assumptions and Gap Analysis for IRP Scenarios A, B, C and D (Nov. 24, 2020) Preliminary Assumptions used to Model Retail Demands, Local and Imported Supplies for Scenarios A, B, C & D (Nov. 18, 2020) Preliminary Results for UWMP and IRP Scenarios (Nov. 13, 2020) IRP and UWMP Update:  Introduction (Nov. 13, 2020) Draft Scenario Assumptions and Preliminary Analysis (Oct. 16, 2020) Draft Scenario Assumptions and Preliminary Analysis (Oct. 14, 2020) Draft Scenario Framework and Strawman Assumptions (Sept. 18, 2020) Draft Scenario Framework and Narrative Summaries (Sept. 16, 2020) IRP Progress and Draft Scenario Framework (Aug. 21, 2020) Scenario Planning:  Constructing Scenarios – Qualitative/Quantative Assessment (July 17, 2020) Scenario Planning:  Constructing Scenarios – Qualitative/Quantitative Assessment (July 15, 2020) Scenario Planning:  Finalizing Drivers of Change/Stepping Into Constructing Scenarios (June 12, 2020) Scenario Planning:  Finalizing Drivers of Change/Stepping into Constructing Scenarios (June 10, 2020) Identifying Drivers of Change:  Building the Foundation for Scenario Planning (May 15, 2020) Identifying Drivers of Change: Building the Foundation for Scenario Planning (May 13, 2020) 2020 IRP Road Map (April 17, 2020) IRP 2020:  Introduction to Scenario Planning and Policy Discussion (March 13, 2020) 2020 IRP:  Outreach, In-reach and Engagement (March 13, 2020) Introduction to the 2020 Integrated Water Resource Plan (Feb. 14, 2020) Stakeholder Workshops – Drivers of Change May 20, 2020 Workshop May 22, 2020 Workshop White Papers, Blogs & News Draft Report on Retrospective of the 2015 Integrated Resources Plan – (December 2020) White Paper on the Purpose of the Integrated Resources Plan - (August 2020) Charting Our Future, Starting With You, GM Kightlinger (May 2020) White Paper on Scenario Planning (April 2020) Charter Metropolitan's Second Century - Board Retreat White Paper (October 2019) 2015 IRP Resources 2015 IRP Overview Executive Summary Full Report Technical Appendices 2018 Implementation Report 2019 Implementation Report Historical Planning Documents Metropolitan Water District Act Strategic Plan Assembly Statement (Oct. 29 and 30, 1993) Integrated Resources Plan Assembly Statement (June 9-11, 1994) Blue Ribbon Task Force Final Report (Jan. 1994) Blue Ribbon Task Force Recommendations (Aug. 17, 1994) Integrated Resources Plan, Phase I Report, Final Draft (Nov. 28, 1994) Integrated Resources Plan Assembly 1995 Assembly Statement (March 29-31, 1995) Final Draft Strategic Plan Policy Principles (Dec. 14, 1999) IRP Implementation Status and Potential Development Needs (July 21, 2009) IRP Update, Metropolitan Involvement in Water Resources Development (July 16, 2009) Report of the Blue Ribbon Committee (April 12, 2011) Review of Blue Ribbon Review Committee Report (Dec. 13, 2011) BE INFORMED, BE INVOLVED Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube @mwdh2o Media Newsroom Press Releases Blog Fact Sheets & Publications Videos Doing Business With Us Professional Services Construction Services/Equipment Procurement Projects in Your Community Business Outreach Program Real Property Assets Public Notices Join Our Team Careers Apprenticeships & Internships Job Descriptions External Jobs Internal Jobs Salary Chart Resources Director Login Employee Login MWD Federal Credit Union Bewaterwise.com MWD Innovates Accessibility Transparency Privacy Policy