Valley Water Board adopts Water Supply Master Plan 2050 | Santa Clara Valley Water
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Valley Water Board adopts Water Supply Master Plan 2050

November 14, 2025
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Calero Reservoir, fall 2025
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On Nov. 12, 2025, the Valley Water Board of Directors adopted the Water Supply Master Plan 2050. This plan serves as a roadmap for how the agency will invest in water projects for the future. It outlines investment strategies for potential projects over the next decade to ensure that our community maintains a safe and reliable water supply.

Valley Water spent the last two years updating this plan to address existing and emerging challenges, like climate change and changes in water demand and supply. Earlier in 2025, Valley Water held a public review of the draft plan.

“The Water Supply Master Plan is essential to identifying the right level of investment needed to secure our county’s future water supply while keeping it affordable for our community,” Valley Water Board Chair Tony Estremera said. “It’s a responsible, forward-looking plan that prepares us for the challenges ahead.”

Analysis shows that relying solely on our current water supplies and infrastructure could lead to water shortages during prolonged droughts. To prevent this, the updated plan outlines several projects and strategies aimed at improving local water reliability. These include:

  • Developing local, drought-proof water supplies, such as advanced purified water.
  • Investing in new supply and storage projects to increase flexibility and resilience.
  • Maintaining and modernizing existing infrastructure to extend system performance and reliability.

To address uncertainties about future supply and demand, as well as project development and implementation, Valley Water developed an adaptive management approach. This strategy allows the Board to make informed investment decisions as conditions evolve. 

The adaptive framework includes a roadmap and an annual reporting process. The roadmap defines near- and mid-term actions, and identifies key indicators to guide decisions. Annual reports will track project progress, monitor supply and demand conditions, and provide updated data to support informed, transparent decision-making.

The public can access the final plan, meeting agenda and staff report at scvwd.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.


Valley Water manages an integrated water resources system that includes the supply of clean, safe water, flood protection and stewardship of streams on behalf of Santa Clara County's 2 million residents. The district effectively manages 10 dams and surface water reservoirs, three water treatment plants, an advanced recycled water purification center, a state-of-the-art water quality laboratory, nearly 285 acres of groundwater recharge ponds and 333 miles of waterways. We provide wholesale water and groundwater management services to local municipalities and private water retailers who deliver drinking water directly to homes and businesses in Santa Clara County.