The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is not just a rich ecosystem, fertile farming region, and source for most of the state's water supply. It is an indispensable component in the much-admired “California Lifestyle.”

People in California's largest cities--Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, and Fresno--rely on Delta water for an important part of their total supply. As the California Urban Water Agencies puts it, the Bay-Delta estuary “serves as the hub of California's water supply infrastructure, which is essential to the operation of a $750 billion economy.”

Drinking water quality continually ranks as one of Californians' primary concerns. Improving the quality of Delta water is also one of the top priorities of the CALFED Bay-Delta Program.

While water diverted from the Delta and delivered to Californians throughout the state continues to meet state and federal safety standards, many water quality professionals are concerned that new standards may make it increasingly difficult and expensive to treat Delta water.

The high organic content of Delta water--much of it coming from drainage off of peat-rich island farms-- and sea water intrusion are two factors that could make treatment problematic. CALFED is studying new ways of moving water through the Delta that could avoid these impacts and reduce the cost of treating the water for human consumption.

Importantly, improving the quality of Delta water would make it possible to recycle and reuse more Delta water supplies--stretching our existing supplies. A cleaner Delta water supply, low in solids and organics, enables the same water to be recycled and used again in a variety of ways.

Water development associated with the Delta also provides a broad range of recreational opportunities for Californians throughout the state. At lakes Shasta and Oroville in the north, San Luis Reservoir in Central California, and lakes Pyramid, Piru, Silverwood and Castaic in the south, Californians log millions of visitor-days annually to these prized recreational facilities.

The Delta itself is a premier destination for anglers, hunters, campers, swimmers, hikers and other outdoorsmen. The estuary's 1,000 miles of waterways and 57 islands boast 120 marinas, 140 recreation facilities, six parks and four wildlife refuges offer a wide variety of recreational opportunities. According to the Contra Costa Times, 82,000 pleasure boats are registered in the Delta.

Water from the Bay-Delta will grow in importance along with California's population in the future. State officials project that 49 million people will live in California by 2020, compared to just 32 million today. Given this increase, the state Department of Water Resources estimates that California cities will need 54 percent more water in 2020 than they use now. Urban water providers look to the Delta to help meet some of this additional demand in one or more ways.