First signed in 2000, the Water Forum Agreement has guided regional efforts to protect the Lower American River while supporting reliable water supplies for the region’s communities and economy. Courtesy photo

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Nearly 40 organizations across the Sacramento region are beginning the formal process of approving the Water Forum 2050 Agreement, a major milestone in advancing the next generation of regional water management.

Over the coming weeks and months, cities, counties, water providers, environmental groups, business organizations, and community interests will bring the draft agreement to their elected boards, councils, and governing bodies for consideration. Several organizations have already completed this review and formally approved the Water Forum 2050 Agreement, while others are now beginning their public approval processes. Together, these actions mark the final phase before signatories gather in spring to formally sign the Water Forum 2050 Agreement.

First signed in 2000, the Water Forum Agreement has guided regional efforts to protect the Lower American River while supporting reliable water supplies for the region’s communities and economy.

“Twenty-five years ago, the region made a bold decision to move past disagreement and commit to a shared approach for protecting the Lower American River and securing reliable water supplies,” said Water Forum executive director Ashlee Casey. “Water Forum 2050 strives for the same level of foresight. Our goal is that 25 years from now, people will view this agreement with the same confidence and appreciation we have for the original.”

Water Forum 2050 updates the long-standing accord by recognizing new challenges and incorporating new science and opportunities to respond to climate change.

Early approvals by Sacramento Suburban Water District, Sacramento Valley Conservancy, Sacramento Regional Builders Exchange, San Juan Water District, Sacramento Metro Chamber, Placer County Water Agency, Sacramento Association of Realtors, El Dorado Irrigation District, Fair Oaks Water District, and East Bay Municipal Utility District, reflect regional alignment around the updated framework and confidence in its ability to guide water reliability and American River protection through 2050.

“Beginning the public approval process marks the transition from negotiation to action,” Casey said. “Each board and council vote moves our region closer to a shared commitment for how we will protect the Lower American River, strengthen water reliability, and adapt to a changing climate over the next 25 years.”

Water Forum 2050 maintains the coequal objectives that have guided the Water Forum for more than two decades: 1) provide a reliable and safe water supply for the region’s economic health and planned development; and 2) reserve the fishery, wildlife, recreational and aesthetic values of the Lower American River.

The updated agreement includes five program areas – Flows and Operations, Corridor Health, Regional Water Supply Sustainability, Science and Monitoring, and Governance – paired with a new, forward-looking initiative: the American River Climate Adaptation Program (ARCAP).

American River Climate Adaptation Program aims to enhance regional water management by voluntarily linking agencies, infrastructure, and policies to create a truly regional system – one where water is available when and where it’s needed, with a focus on preserving cold water in the American River for fish and future supply.

American River Climate Adaptation Program draws from a variety of sources, including conservation, groundwater recharge, strategic reservoir operations, and shifts in supply sources according to hydrology, to create measurable volumes of “American River Climate Adaptation Program (ARCAP) water.”

This water can be stored in wet periods and used during critically dry conditions to support both river health and community water reliability.

Lastly, the Water Forum 2050 Agreement includes Purveyor Specific Agreements (PSAs) that outline opportunities and commitments for the participating water providers to support the coequal objectives through their water management and operations. Together, the program level commitments for the continued regional work of the Water Forum, combined with the includes Purveyor Specific Agreements, form an integrated approach to regional water management. The draft agreement can be found at https://waterforum.org/water-forum-2-0-process/.

Next Steps

Each participating organization will review the draft agreement through its own public approval process. Following these actions, Water Forum members aim to finalize and sign the Water Forum 2050 Agreement in early 2026. Supporting materials – including the draft agreement, executive summary, and fact sheets – are available at waterforum.org/water-forum-2-0-process.

For more information and a full list of participating members, visit: waterforum.org.