Public Records Detailing Inner Workings of Metropolitan Water District ‘Secret Society’ Now Available Online

March 16, 2012

Documents obtained under the California Public Records Act describing how the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and a majority…

Documents obtained under the California Public Records Act describing how the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and a majority of its member agencies worked together behind closed doors to set rates, develop policies and discriminate against San Diego County water ratepayers are now available online at www.MWDFacts.com.

The more than 500 pages of documents reveal a “Secret Society” organized in 2009 to direct water rates and other decisions at MWD, the San Diego region’s largest water supplier and California’s largest public water agency. The documents paint a disturbing picture of how decisions are made on major programs and projects that impact the lives of 19 million Californians who depend upon MWD for all or part of their water supplies. MWD has an annual budget of $1.8 billion and serves a six-county region with an annual economy valued at greater than $1 trillion.

The San Diego County Water Authority submitted these documents at MWD’s March 12 public hearing on its proposed 2013 and 2014 budget and rates. The Water Authority also has posted a PowerPoint presentation that provides an overview of the documents and the group’s activities.The binder’s contents include:

  • PowerPoint presentation
  • Documents obtained under the California Public Records Act

To view the PowerPoint and the documents, visit:  www.mwdfacts.com/?p=864

To read more about related topics, visit www.mwdfacts.com.

  • The San Diego County Water Authority sustains a $262 billion regional economy and the quality of life for 3.3 million residents through a multi-decade water supply diversification plan, major infrastructure investments and forward-thinking policies that promote fiscal and environmental responsibility. A public agency created in 1944, the Water Authority delivers wholesale water supplies to 22 retail water providers, including cities, special districts and a military base.

    Media Contact Information

    Jordan Beane

    Phone: (858) 221-3975

    Email: jbeane@sdcwa.org