Four Central Valley and Bay Area water utilities are collaborating to advance affordability, reliability and environmental stewardship.

TURLOCK, Calif. — Four agencies, one shared mission: keeping water reliable for the Bay Area and Central Valley. 

As the region faces increasing threats to our water supply, local utilities are strategically combining forces through the San Joaquin Tributaries Authority (SJTA) to generate collaborative solutions. Drawing on generations of local expertise and sound science, they’re working together to protect the water supplies that 3.2 million people and 260,000 acres of farmland depend on.

This coordination reflects a broader recognition that regional challenges — from prolonged drought to evolving state water policy — call for regional solutions. Rather than navigating these pressures independently, local utilities are increasingly working through SJTA as a single, unified voice, advocating for water rights protections, and investing in multi-benefit projects that strengthen water resilience while protecting the environment.

“Effective water management requires a holistic, forward-thinking approach rooted in sound science and local operational experience,” said Andree Lee, Executive Director of the San Joaquin Tributaries Authority. “Through regional collaboration across the Stanislaus and Tuolumne River watersheds, we can accomplish shared goals that keep customer costs stable, protect historical water rights, and safeguard the environment so our Bay Area and Central Valley communities thrive, now and in the future.”

Who Is SJTA & Why It Matters

Formed in 2012 as a Joint Powers Authority, SJTA brings together four regional public water and energy providers: Modesto Irrigation District (MID), San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), South San Joaquin Irrigation District (SSJID), and Turlock Irrigation District (TID). Together, these agencies collectively supply over 1.7 million acre-feet of water and 590 megawatts of carbon-free hydroelectric power to 3.2 million customers and 260,000 acres of irrigated farmland across eight counties (Alameda, Merced, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne).

SJTA’s mission is to advance collaborative, sustainable water management to achieve reliable water supplies for communities, agriculture and the environment. While each member agency independently serves its customers, together they coordinate planning, share resources and expertise, and advocate for practical state/federal water policies on behalf of the entire region.

“Collaboration powers progress. When we work together, water works better.”

Residents Care Deeply About their Water

A recent Harris Research Poll conducted on behalf of SJTA revealed that Bay Area and Central Valley residents care deeply about their water. In fact, sentiments were remarkably similar across both geographic regions, emphasizing the benefit of regional collaboration in solving the state’s complex water challenges. 

The SJTA survey of 1,500 Bay Area and Central Valley voters revealed that 2 in 3 residents are very or extremely concerned about having sufficient water needed for:

• Use inside their home (67%)
• Use during extended drought periods (67%)
• California crop production to keep food prices low (65%)

Water touches every part of daily life — from the tap at home to the food on the table. Residents recognize the essential connection between reliable water and their quality of life. SJTA enables its member agencies to collaborate on sustainable solutions that ensure a resilient and reliable water supply for the region. 

“Reliable water ensures healthy communities, a vibrant economy, and a sustainable future.”

About SJTA’s Member Agencies

SJTA’s four member agencies have served their regions for well over a century and collectively represent some of California’s most experienced water and power managers:

Modesto Irrigation District (MID): A publicly owned water and electric utility serving communities in Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties.

San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC): The agency responsible for the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System, which delivers water to 2.7 million Bay Area residents.

South San Joaquin Irrigation District (SSJID): An agricultural and municipal water supplier serving communities in San Joaquin county.

Turlock Irrigation District (TID): California’s oldest irrigation district, providing water and power to communities in Stanislaus County and portions of Merced County and Tuolumne County.

Learn More

To learn more about SJTA, its member agencies, and the work being done to protect California’s water future, visit www.sjtribs.org.

About the San Joaquin Tributaries Authority

The San Joaquin Tributaries Authority (SJTA) is a Joint Powers Authority established in 2012. SJTA advances collaborative, sustainable water management to achieve reliable and cost-effective water supplies for agriculture, communities, and the environment. Its member agencies — Modesto Irrigation District, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, South San Joaquin Irrigation District, and Turlock Irrigation District — serve 3.2 million Californians across an eight-county region in the Bay Area and San Joaquin Valley. For more information, visit sjtribs.org.