Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP)
The largest city-owned utility in the U.S. is facing its own reckoning after importing water from the Sierra Nevada for a century. LADWP is embarking upon a separate water recycling project with a goal to recycle 100 percent of the city’s wastewater by 2035. A five-member board is appointed by the mayor of LA, but there’s been turnover in recent years as top officials have been embroiled in multiple high-profile scandals leading to federal indictments. The retirement of general manager Marty Adams, announced in 2023, opens the door for new leadership.

State Water Resources Control Board

The California water agency regulates all aspects of water quality — drinking water, groundwater, and surface water. The agency also gives grants to municipalities and schools for projects that improve water quality, including stormwater related projects. The board plays a very important role in the state as it administers water rights.

California State Water Project (SWP)

The movement of water in the state from the wetter north to the drier south is handled by the SWP which delivers to 29 urban and agricultural water suppliers. Its focus is making major improvements to aging infrastructure like the California Aqueduct to address both climate and seismic catastrophes.

California Department of Water Resources (DWR)

This state agency manages all major water transport projects, including the State Water Project and the planned Delta Conveyance Tunnel, which has released its final environmental review and will be the subject of epic statewide battles.