Water Inspection Trips

water inspection trip graphic

Southern California receives water from a variety of sources. Groundwater, groundwater recharge, and recycled water provide only half of all Orange County’s total water supply. The remaining supply is imported either from the Colorado River or from Northern California.

Each year, Orange County elected officials, business leaders, community leaders and others, are invited to participate on inspection trips to key water facilities throughout the state of California. These trips are sponsored by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Metropolitan) and the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC).

The goal is to educate our stakeholders, and to encourage critical dialogue about the future of our state’s water supply. By providing a valuable, first-hand look at the issues of water management, water quality, water supply, environmental restoration, agricultural challenges and water conservation, guests will return from an inspection trip with a solid foundation of water knowledge and will be able to engage others in an important discussion about their own local resources.

Program Brochure

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Program Presentation

View PowerPoint (9mb)

Metropolitan's Colorado River Aqueduct Video

Inspection Trips Overview

San Joaquin Delta image

State Water Project/Sacramento
San Joaquin Delta

A 2 or 3 day tour (overnight required)
The State Water Project is a massive water delivery and storage system that originates at Lake Oroville and extends 700 miles to southern California. The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta serves as the hub through which the water passes from north to south, and is the single most important link in California’s water supply system. Stops could include Oroville Dam, the Feather River, The Delta Cross Channel and Banks Pumping Plant.

Learn more about the State Water Project

Colorado River Aqueduct image

Colorado River Aqueduct

A 2 or 3 day tour (overnight required)
The Colorado River Aqueduct is one of three major water delivery systems servicing southern California, conveying water from Lake Havasu to the Pacific coast. This trip takes a unique, inside look at the historic 242-mile aqueduct system and Metropolitan’s top-notch treatment and distribution facilities. Stops could include Diemer Treatment Plant, Diamond Valley Lake, Copper Basin, Parker Dam and the General Patton Museum.

Colorado River Aqueduct Briefing Paper

Single-day tours offered:

  • Diamond Valley Lake
  • Southern California Infrastructure

 

Interest List

Due to the extreme popularity of this program, availability is limited and inclusion on any particular trip cannot be guaranteed. We do send out invitations several weeks in advance and reservations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Fill out the form below if you would like to be added to one or more of our interest lists.

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For questions related to this program, contact us at inspectiontrips@mwdoc.com

*The Water Education Foundation also sponsors water tours for a fee. Visit their website to view a complete tour schedule.

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