What State Water Contractors Do in California’s Water System

When it comes to water in California, it’s not just about turning on the tap. Behind the scenes, there’s an enormous network of agencies, pipelines, reservoirs, and contracts that make it all happen.

One key part of this system? State Water Contractors. These agencies play a crucial role in delivering water from the northern parts of the state to drier southern regions. Without them, many of California’s cities, farms, and industries wouldn’t survive.

Let’s take a closer look at who these contractors are, what they do, and why they’re so important in California’s water game.

Basics

The term “State Water Contractors” refers to the public water agencies that have signed contracts with the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) to receive water from the State Water Project (SWP).

The SWP is one of the largest water delivery systems in the country. It captures water in Northern California and moves it—through aqueducts, pumping plants, and reservoirs—over 700 miles to parts of Central and Southern California.

There are currently 29 State Water Contractors, ranging from big city agencies like the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California to smaller regional ones like Antelope Valley-East Kern Water Agency (AVEK).

Purpose

The main role of these contractors is to deliver imported water to their service areas. They fund, manage, and operate parts of the system in partnership with the state. But their responsibilities go far beyond simply turning valves.

Here’s what they do:

• Contract for water from the SWP
• Pay for infrastructure like aqueducts and pumping stations
• Plan for droughts and emergencies
• Conserve water through programs
• Ensure reliable delivery for homes, businesses, and farms

Think of them as the middlemen between the state and the local tap.

Funding

One common misconception is that the State Water Project is fully funded by the state government. It’s not. In fact, State Water Contractors pay for nearly the entire system through their contracts.

That includes construction, operations, maintenance, and environmental mitigation. It’s a user-pays model: if an agency needs water, it pays its share.

This setup helps keep the system accountable and ensures that water is allocated based on real demand.

Coordination

The contractors also work together through a group called the State Water Contractors Association. This organization helps coordinate policy, planning, and advocacy efforts.

It allows contractors to speak with one voice when dealing with the state government, federal agencies, and environmental regulations. Whether it’s negotiating water allocations during a drought or pushing for infrastructure upgrades, they are stronger together.

Delivery

Water from the SWP doesn’t go directly to your kitchen faucet. Instead, here’s how it usually works:

1. DWR captures and stores water in Northern California.
2. Water is moved south through the California Aqueduct.
3. It’s delivered to contractors like AVEK, who operate regional systems.
4. Local agencies (like your city water provider) distribute it to customers.

This chain ensures that water travels hundreds of miles and still arrives safely, cleanly, and reliably.

Conservation

Contractors also support water conservation and efficiency programs. They understand that relying solely on imported water isn’t sustainable, especially with climate change, longer droughts, and shrinking snowpacks.

So they fund:

• Turf replacement programs
• Low-flow toilet and appliance rebates
• Public education campaigns
• Leak detection services

It’s not just about importing water—it’s also about stretching every drop.

Challenges

State Water Contractors deal with complex challenges every year:

• Droughts reduce how much water is available
• Environmental regulations limit pumping to protect fish species
• Aging infrastructure needs constant upgrades
• Climate change makes planning more uncertain

Despite this, they’ve continued to keep California’s water system running even during the state’s driest years.

AVEK

A great example of a State Water Contractor in action is the Antelope Valley-East Kern Water Agency (AVEK). Based in a dry part of Southern California, AVEK imports SWP water to serve over 20 municipalities, school districts, and industrial customers.

They’ve built pipelines, storage facilities, and even help recharge groundwater—all part of their role as a contractor. Without AVEK and others like it, places like Lancaster, Palmdale, and Mojave wouldn’t have enough water to support their communities.

Key Functions of State Water Contractors

Function	Description
Water Contracting	Secure SWP water through long-term agreements
Infrastructure	Fund and help maintain pipelines, canals, pumps
Distribution	Deliver water to regional or local users
Planning	Prepare for drought, growth, and environmental issues
Conservation	Promote efficient use of water through programs
Coordination	Collaborate on state-level water planning

The bottom line? State Water Contractors are the glue that holds California’s water system together. They may not be on the front page, but their behind-the-scenes work keeps the state hydrated—every single day.

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