- California American Water signed a long-term regional water agreement.
- The plan focuses on drought, climate resilience, and river protection.
- New strategies include groundwater recharge and expanded conservation.
- The agreement continues a Sacramento water partnership first signed in 2000.
Wednesday, June 27, 2026 — California American Water has joined a new long-term regional agreement designed to help the Sacramento region prepare for future water challenges tied to drought, climate shifts, and growing demand.
On May 12, 2026, California American Water announced it signed the Water Forum Agreement 2050
, often referred to as WF2050. The agreement brings together water providers, public agencies, environmental groups, and business organizations that are working on water management plans for the Sacramento region through the year 2050.
The updated agreement builds on a regional partnership that began more than 25 years ago with the original Water Forum Agreement signed in 2000.
A Long-Term Plan for a Changing Climate.
The new agreement was created as California and the broader Colorado River Basin continue facing drought concerns, rising temperatures, and increasing pressure on water supplies.
According to the announcement, the partnership is intended to address several major concerns, including more frequent droughts, growing water demand, and environmental impacts affecting the lower American River ecosystem.
The agreement continues two major goals that have guided the region for decades:
- Maintaining a reliable and safe water supply for communities and businesses.
- Protecting fish, wildlife, recreation, and scenic conditions along the lower American River.
Audie Foster, Director of Operations for California American Water’s Northern Division, signed the agreement on behalf of the company.
“It’s an honor to represent California American Water in signing the Water Forum Agreement 2050,” Foster said in the company announcement. “This agreement shows a shared commitment to collaboration, long-term planning, and responsible water management across the Sacramento region.”
New Tools and Water Strategies.
The updated agreement also introduces several new water management strategies intended to improve long-term resilience.
One of the largest additions is the American River Climate Adaptation Program, known as ARCAP. According to the announcement, the program is designed to help the region better manage water during changing climate conditions.
The strategies discussed in the agreement include:
- Increasing water storage.
- Supporting groundwater recharge projects.
- Improving conservation efforts.
- Preserving colder river water needed by fish and wildlife.
Groundwater recharge involves moving water back underground so aquifers can recover during wetter periods. Water experts increasingly view recharge projects as an important tool during long drought cycles because underground aquifers can act like natural storage reservoirs.
The agreement states that the region also wants to maintain flexibility as conditions change over the coming decades.
Sacramento Continues Collaborative Water Planning.
California has increasingly relied on regional cooperation agreements as water shortages and climate concerns place additional pressure on rivers, reservoirs, and groundwater systems.
Sarah Leeper, President of California American Water, said the agreement continues a model of collaboration that regional leaders believe has worked well over the past two decades.
“California American Water is proud to stand with regional partners in signing this agreement and continuing a proven model for collaboration that supports water supply reliability with environmental care,” Leeper said.
California American Water serves approximately 750,000 people across the state. Its parent company, American Water, is one of the nation’s largest regulated water and wastewater utility companies.
The Sacramento region’s updated agreement arrives as many Western states continue discussing long-term water reliability, conservation, groundwater management, and environmental protection in an era of increasing climate uncertainty.
