San Joaquin Tributaries Authority

Aerial view of a long, winding lake with a bridge crossing it, surrounded by forested hills and scattered rural homes under a clear sky.

San Joaquin Tributaries Authority

SJTA is a partnership of public water and energy providers in the Bay Area and Central Valley working together to protect California’s water future.

Who We Are

A grid of nine light green circles outlined in dark green, arranged in three rows and three columns on a white background.

Manage

Our water resources and systems to sustain our communities, economy, and environment now and into the future.

Protect

Natural resources using science-based evidence in our decision-making and actions for effective water management.

two hands holding a heart in green. Stregthen The resilience and reliability of the San Joaquin River and its tributaries.

Strengthen

The resilience and reliability of the San Joaquin River and its tributaries through strategic regional collaboration.

Making a Difference

3.2 Million People

served with drinking water

260,000
Acres

of farmland irrigated

1.7 Million + Acre-Feet

per year of water supply delivered

590 Megawatts

of greenhouse gas-free hydroelectric generation

$1 Trillion

annual in gross domestic product

Protecting the Water We All Depend On

SJTA provides a regional approach to protecting our water future through collaboration, strategic planning and environmental stewardship.

Together with our member agencies, we utilize centuries of local expertise and science-based water management to strengthen the reliability of the San Joaquin River and its tributaries—so local communities can thrive.

Explore our Work

Collaboration Powers Our Progress

California’s water challenges are complex. No single agency can solve them alone.

SJTA was formed based on a shared recognition that collaboration powers progress. Our member agencies work together to coordinate planning, share knowledge, and advance practical local water solutions. Through regional collaboration, we can accomplish shared goals that enable our region to thrive–now and in the future.

Get in Touch

The San Joaquin Tributaries Authority (SJTA) is a partnership of four public water and energy providers: Modesto Irrigation District, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, South San Joaquin Irrigation District, and Turlock Irrigation District. Together, these agencies work to strengthen the reliability and resilience of the San Joaquin River and its tributaries. SJTA was formed to help protect California’s water future through collaboration, long-term planning, and environmental stewardship.

SJTA members help provide the water and power systems that support daily life across the Bay Area and Central Valley. Their systems and investments help keep water flowing to homes, farms, schools, hospitals, businesses, and local communities. Together, SJTA members help serve 3.2 million Californians and support approximately 260,000 acres of irrigated farmland.

SJTA helps protect the water systems that people depend on every day. Reliable water supports safe drinking water, jobs, local food production, fire protection, and the overall quality of life in the Bay Area and Central Valley. By planning for long-term reliability, SJTA helps ensure communities are better prepared for drought, climate variability, and future water challenges.

SJTA gives its member agencies a shared regional voice. Each agency serves its own customers, but they work through SJTA to coordinate planning, share expertise, and advance practical solutions for the San Joaquin River and its tributaries. This collaboration helps local agencies make smarter decisions and pursue projects that benefit the entire region.

California’s water challenges are complex, and no single agency can solve them alone. Drought, climate variability, aging infrastructure, groundwater sustainability, and environmental protection all require cooperation. SJTA brings local agencies and partners together so decisions can be guided by local expertise and sound science to make smarter investments on behalf of the communities they serve.

SJTA supports solutions that recognize people and rivers depend on the same water system. Healthy rivers require thoughtful stewardship, and reliable water supplies require careful planning. SJTA members use science-based methods to improve ecological conditions for native fish species while continuing to meet the needs of homes, farms, and communities.

SJTA members are actively involved in protecting and restoring the San Joaquin River watershed. Their work includes habitat restoration, fishery science, water conservation technology, irrigation modernization, renewable energy projects, and watershed resilience efforts. These projects show how local agencies are already taking proactive actions to support healthy rivers and strong communities.

The Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program (HRL) is a locally focused approach to improving river ecosystems and water supply reliability. It combines carefully managed river flows with habitat improvement projects to support native fish and wildlife. The HRL approach empowers local agencies to implement projects that have the best chance of successfully improving environmental conditions while maintaining reliable water supplies for communities, businesses, and agriculture.

SJTA supports Healthy Rivers and Landscapes because it reflects a practical, science-based approach to water management. Instead of relying on a one-size-fits-all mandate, the program prioritizes local conditions and expertise as means to optimizing the co-equal goals of reliable water flows and river health. In SJTA’s recent voter research, people preferred this approach 2-to-1 over the Bay-Delta Plan after learning more about both options.

SJTA members use efficient operations, proven technologies, and long-term planning to help keep water service reliable and cost-effective. Our work is designed to avoid short-term fixes that can lead to higher costs later. Regional collaboration helps agencies share resources and pursue projects that can reduce the financial burden on local customers.

SJTA’s recent survey of 1,500 registered voters in the Bay Area and Central Valley found that people are highly concerned about everyday costs and water reliability. In the survey, 82% of voters said they were concerned about power bills, 70% were concerned about water bills, and 68% were concerned about water supply. The findings also show that voters understand the connection between affordable, reliable water and their personal health, healthy communities, and future generations.

You can start by learning where your water comes from and staying informed about local water issues. You can also support local, science-based solutions that protect both water reliability and the environment. Voters and customers can help by sharing information, attending public meetings, contacting elected officials, and encouraging local, state, and federal leaders to support balanced water solutions that strengthen communities and protect California’s future.