Summary
The city's roadmap for water supply through 2050 was received and filed. It centers on the Groundwater Resilience Program, buying additional groundwater rights, and new recycled water from the Los Coyotes plant, with imported water, pure water, and brackish desalination as longer-term options.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 6
- Last 30 days
- 0
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Sep 17, 2026.
Impact analysis
No immediate cost; future projects identified in the plan will each come back for board approval.
Residents get a clearer picture of where their water will come for the next 25 years.
West side residents in the J.W. Johnson zone would bear a disproportionate share of any imported water shortage.
Mentions & discussions (6)
Utilities Commission - Sep 17, 2026
The city's roadmap for water supply through 2050 was received and filed. It centers on the Groundwater Resilience Program, buying additional groundwater rights, and new recycled water from the Los Coyotes plant, with imported water, pure water, and brackish desalination as longer-term options.
Utilities Commission - Aug 6, 2026
The federal government issued an environmental impact statement framework for Colorado River operations, with shortages likely — Arizona would bear early cuts starting 2028. The river delivered only 3.5 million acre-feet this year against an 11–12 million average need. Long Beach's imported water supply could be affected.
Climate Resilient and Sustainable City Commission - Jun 25, 2026
The Utilities Department is finalizing a water resources plan to bring groundwater to the west side, which currently relies entirely on imported water. A public meeting for community feedback is planned for August.
Utilities Commission - Jun 4, 2026
The state requires a five-year update showing Long Beach can supply water through 2050, even in droughts. The plan forecasts reliability thanks to record Metropolitan storage, and includes a water shortage contingency plan with staged irrigation cuts if shortages hit.
Utilities Commission - Apr 16, 2026
The commission backed a countywide plan to add 580,000 acre-feet of local water supply per year, survive droughts, and keep six months of emergency water. Long Beach is well positioned with groundwater and imported water, but regional coordination matters.
Utilities Commission - Feb 19, 2026
Long Beach's future water demand is forecast at 42,000–44,000 acre-feet per year, slightly below today's use, but reliability hinges on imported water from Metropolitan. Under a pessimistic 2050 scenario, shortages could exceed 10% citywide and hit the west side of the city with 50%+ shortfalls. Conservation must continue to meet state mandates, and big investment decisions like the groundwater resilience program are on the horizon.
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