Mission Springs Water District v. Desert Water Agency
Overview
Mission Springs Water District (MSWD) filed a lawsuit against Desert Water Agency (DWA) in 2016 challenging DWA’s election to be the Groundwater Sustainability Agency within DWA’s boundaries under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. This state legislation gives DWA additional authority to manage groundwater supplies within DWA and to take measures to ensure that the groundwater basin is managed sustainably.
Current Status
The California Supreme Court on July 10, 2024, declined to review an appeal submitted by Mission Springs Water District (MSWD) that stems from a lawsuit against Desert Water Agency (DWA) and the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) originally filed by MSWD in 2016.
This decision affirms that DWA is the Groundwater Sustainability Agency within the MSWD service area, which lies within DWA’s boundary. DWA remains committed to the responsible management of regional water resources, in collaboration with other agencies, including MSWD.
The 2016 MSWD lawsuit challenged DWA’s appointment by DWR as the Groundwater Sustainability Agency within DWA’s boundaries under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. In 2022, a judge ruled in favor of DWA. MSWD appealed that decision to the California Court of Appeals, which also ruled in favor of DWA in late 2023.
Desert Water Agency was formed in 1961 as a special district to manage the groundwater in the western part of the Coachella Valley. As a State Water Contractor, DWA delivers imported water to the region, including the Indio and Mission Creek subbasins. The ability to bring imported water to the area is key to ensuring the sustainability of the subbasins.
There is a robust and effective mechanism in place to manage area water supplies with collaboration between DWA, MSWD, and Coachella Valley Water District. By agreement, the three agencies have a long-standing water management committee that meets quarterly to coordinate the prudent management of local water resources, including groundwater sustainability planning. The agencies partner via this committee to meet the requirements of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and to achieve the joint goal of ongoing water security for the region.