Friday May 8, 2026
CBC News —
California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday defended his administration’s water policies and pushed for major infrastructure projects, including the controversial Delta Conveyance Project, arguing the state is now “more prepared for our water future than ever before.”
Speaking at the annual conference for the Association of California Water Agencies in Sacramento, Newsom highlighted actions his administration says have strengthened the state’s water systems since 2019, including expanding clean drinking water access, advancing water storage projects, restoring salmon habitats and increasing groundwater management efforts.
“California has embraced a more balanced and forward-looking approach to water policy — rejecting the false choice between protecting our water future and building the infrastructure we need,” Newsom said in a statement released by his office. “We’re taking an all-of-the-above approach by expanding water projects, restoring habitats, and improving water quality, because real progress comes from partnership, not polarization.”