After years of planning for one of the biggest California water projects in decades, a key question remains unanswered: Who exactly will pay for it? Decision time is approaching for the agencies that will have to pick up the nearly $17-billion tab for building two massive water tunnels under the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the heart of the state’s water works. As outlined by the MWD staff, the largely urban customers of the State Water Project would pay 55% of its cost, or $9.2 billion. The State Water Project could wind up paying for 65% to 75% of the tunnels, driving up MWD’s cost, according to critics. Other water agencies are expected to vote soon on whether to participate in the tunnel project.

Source: Los Angeles Times August 15, 2017 02:48 UTC