CCWD Backs Water Infrastructure Bills as Dry Weather, Thin Snowpack Raise Supply Concerns

The Contra Costa Water District Board of Directors moved swiftly through a compact agenda Feb. 4, aligning the district's lobbying muscle behind state and federal water infrastructure legislation — including a same-day bill drop from Sen. Alex Padilla that could cover half the cost of CCWD's looming canal replacement program. Meanwhile, a detailed recreation briefing revealed record revenue, and the general manager warned that warm, dry conditions are already pushing water demands higher despite a paltry Sierra snowpack.

• Board unanimously backs AB 35, HR 5566 and S 3590 to accelerate water infrastructure funding

• Padilla's More Water Act, introduced the same day, could deliver 50% cost share for CCWD canal replacement

• Los Vaqueros recreation program posts record $791,000 in gross revenue and 61,000+ visitors

• Reservoir sits at 91% capacity, but snowpack is "very, very paltry" heading into spring

• Association of California Water Agencies' (ACWA) launches effort to put water on 2026 gubernatorial candidates' radar

Why it matters: CCWD is staring down a generational infrastructure challenge — replacing its aging Contra Costa Canal — and the three bills the board endorsed could unlock both state bond dollars and federal grant programs to help foot the bill. A surprise same-day bill from Sen. Padilla sweetened the stakes further.