Where Los Angeles Gets Its Water: Local, Imported, and Recycled Sources

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) supplies 4 million customers via a diverse portfolio:

1. Local Groundwater (~10–15%)

San Fernando Valley & Central Basin aquifers; treated for contamination (VOCs, perchlorate).

2. Imported Water (~70–80%)

• Colorado River Aqueduct (MWD): Lake Havasu → LA (242 mi). ~25% of supply.
• State Water Project (SWP): Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta → California Aqueduct → LA. ~30–45% (varies with Sierra snowpack).
• Los Angeles Aqueduct (LAA): Owens Valley/Mono Basin → LA (233 mi). Historic source; now ~30% due to environmental restrictions.

3. Recycled Water (Growing)

Advanced treatment for irrigation, industrial, groundwater recharge. Goal: 100% wastewater recycling by 2035 (Operation NEXT).

4. Conservation Programs

• Rebates: high-efficiency toilets, washers, sprinklers.
• Free water audits.
• Public education, turf replacement incentives.

LADWP aims to cut imported water reliance to 50% by 2035 via local capture, recycling, and conservation.