Water Authority & MWD Tours

Tour participants experience first-hand how legislative and regulatory policies affect the availability of imported water.

The Water Authority currently has four directors that serve as delegates to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Board of Directors. These are: Directors Doug Wilson , Lynne Heidel, Keith Lewinger, and Fern Steiner.

Each year, these directors host tours, called inspection trips, that provide elected and appointed officials, business and environmental community leaders, civic leaders, media representatives, educators, and interested stakeholders with the opportunity to learn about current and historical water issues affecting the region from a statewide and local perspective. The tours also provide a first-hand look at the magnitude of the water delivery systems that feed Southern California, visiting numerous sites and facilities across the state.

There are currently three types of educational tours generally conducted November through June of each fiscal year. This year’s inspection trip schedule includes:

Tour Date	Hosting Director(s)	Type of Tour	RSVP Link
November 5-6, 2011	Lynne Heidel	Colorado River Aqueduct	Tour registration is closed.
January 27-28, 2012	Keith Lewinger & Doug Wilson	State Water Project/Bay Delta	Tour registration is closed.
February 25-26, 2012	Fern Steiner	Hoover Dam and Colorado River Aqueduct	Tour registration is closed.
April 20-21, 2012	Doug Wilson	Colorado River Aqueduct	Tour registration is closed.
May 19-20, 2012	Fern Steiner & Lynne Heidel	State Water Project/Bay Delta	Tour registration is closed.
June 22-24, 2012	Keith Lewinger	Colorado River Aqueduct	Tour registration is closed

STATE WATER PROJECT/BAY DELTA TOURS

Harvey O. Banks Pumping Plant

These tours focus on the largest state-built water and power system in the nation. Guests will also hear about the complex issues that influence how the system operates and the numerous problems affecting the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay Delta.

Trip participants may visit key State Water Project facilities, meet with legislative representatives, and receive detailed presentations and updates from Bay Delta experts.

COLORADO RIVER AQUEDUCT TOURS

Colorado River Aqueduct

These tours focus on the 242-mile-long system of pumping plants and canals that brings Colorado River water into Southern California.

Some of these tours also include stops through the Lower Colorado River region to view the All-American Canal, Coachella Canal, and other critical components of the historic Quantification Settlement Agreement.

LOCAL RESOURCES PROGRAMS AND FACILITIES TOURS

Twin Oaks Valley Water Treatment Plant

Facilities located near San Diego County, such as MWD’s Diamond Valley Lake and Robert A. Skinner Water Treatment Plant, are highlighted on these tours. Other stops may include the Olivenhain Dam and Reservoir, San Vicente Dam, and the Twin Oaks Valley Water Treatment Plant.

Transportation, lodging, and meal expenses are provided by MWD. Limited seating is available on each tour, and seats are reserved in the order the RSVPs are received. Trip participants must be 18 years of age or older, and background checks may be required to visit some secure federal, state, and local facilities.

To subscribe to receive email notices about upcoming Water Authority & MWD Tours or invitations to upcoming trips, please click here and select "Tours & Special Event Notices."