State Water Contractors

What State Water Contractors does

State Water Contractors (SWC) is a non-profit association founded in 1982 and headquartered in Sacramento, California, representing 27 public water agencies that contract with the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) to receive water from the State Water Project (SWP). The organization advocates on legal, policy, and regulatory matters for its members, who together fund the capital and operating costs of the SWP — the largest state-owned water delivery system in the world, comprising 700 miles of canals, pipelines, reservoirs (Lake Oroville, Shasta, San Luis, and Folsom), and hydroelectric power facilities that convey an average of 2.4 million acre-feet of water annually to 27 million Californians and 750,000 acres of farmland.

SWC's portfolio spans four core programmatic areas: (1) infrastructure stewardship and modernization, anchored by the Delta Conveyance Project — a climate-adaptation upgrade to aging SWP infrastructure in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta whose Final EIR was certified in 2023 and whose benefits are projected at $38B (a $2.20-per-$1-spent benefit-cost ratio); (2) operational transparency, delivered through the Delta Dashboard, a weekly public monitoring tool for hydroclimate and SWP operations launched in 2020; (3) science and research, through a Science Program investing over $2 million annually and a joint $4M Science Proposal Solicitation with DWR funding Delta ecosystem studies; and (4) environmental stewardship, via the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program, a voluntary agreement framework partnering water agencies with conservation groups on river and Delta habitat flows.

SWC operates a membership-fee revenue model in which 27 public water agencies fund association operations, advocacy, and science. Water supply itself is allocated annually by DWR based on hydrological conditions (historically ranging from 5% to 100%), with contractors paying 100% of system operations and maintenance regardless of allocation percentage. The organization is governed by its member agencies and led by General Manager Jennifer Pierre; it is not venture-backed, PE-owned, or publicly traded, and has a small staff (1–10 employees) supplemented by contracted communications support.

Name

State Water Contractors

Legal name

State Water Contractors

Website

https://swc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

State Water Contractors is a Sacramento-based non-profit association, founded in 1982, that represents 27 California public water agencies contracting for State Water Project supplies serving 27 million residents and 750,000 acres of farmland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water Infrastructure and Supply Services

NAICS

Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131), Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241)

SIC

Water Supply (4941)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Supply & Wastewater Utilities Administration (BPAIACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK), Water, Wastewater & Hydraulics Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAD)

Keywords

• Water infrastructure management
• Water supply delivery
• Water resource advocacy
• Watershed science research
• Hydroelectric power generation

Headquarters

HQ city

Sacramento

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Member Agency Fees and Dues: SWC members (27 public water agencies) pay fees to fund the association's operations, advocacy, and science programs. Members are responsible for capital and operations/maintenance costs of the State Water Project.
2. Water Supply Delivery: Revenue generated through water deliveries to 27 million Californians and 750,000 acres of farmland. The SWP conveys an average of 2.4 million acre-feet of water per year. Contractors pay for 100% of system operations and maintenance regardless of allocation percentage.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

State Water Contractors is a non-profit association of 27 public water agencies that collectively contract with the California Department of Water Resources for State Water Project water supplies. The organization advocates for members' legal, policy, and regulatory interests while supporting the State Water Project — a 700-mile system of canals, pipelines, reservoirs, and hydroelectric facilities delivering water to 27 million Californians and 750,000 acres of farmland. SWC also invests over $2 million annually in science, research, and ecosystem monitoring programs.

Product overview

State Water Contractors is a non-profit association of 27 public water agencies that operates and advocates for the State Water Project—the world's largest state-owned and operated water delivery system. The core offering consists of the State Water Project, which delivers water through 700 miles of canals, pipelines, reservoirs and hydroelectric facilities to 27 million Californians and 750,000 acres of farmland. Supporting this core infrastructure are the Delta Conveyance Project (infrastructure modernization), the Delta Dashboard (operational monitoring tool), the Science Program (research and ecosystem studies), and the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program (environmental management approach). The organization also produces annual Science Reports, hosts Science Symposia, and runs a Science Proposal Solicitation program that funds external research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• State Water Project Core water delivery system comprising 700 miles of canals, pipelines, reservoirs, and hydroelectric power facilities that deliver water from the Sierra Nevada mountains to 27 million Californians and 750,000 acres of farmland. Provided to 27 public water agency members across California.
• Delta Conveyance Project Critical infrastructure modernization project aimed at upgrading the State Water Project infrastructure in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to increase climate resiliency and water security.
• Delta Dashboard Weekly data assessment tool monitoring precipitation, runoff, snow water content, Delta flows, total exports, daily average flow in the Delta, and reservoir storage levels for the four largest SWP reservoirs. Used by member agencies, policymakers, and the public.
• Science Program Science investment and research program investing over $2 million annually to support Delta ecosystem studies, habitat restoration research, water management tools, and collaborative science with academic, government, nonprofit, and private sector partners.
• Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program An innovative water management approach creating healthy rivers and landscapes throughout the Central Valley, connecting new flows in rivers and through the Delta with important habitat to improve conditions for fish and wildlife while balancing economic water needs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 27 million people served with drinking water
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 December 2024MWD provides ongoing funding for Delta Conveyance Project planning and preconstruction. MWD serves 26 public water agencies representing more than 19 million people across six counties. The organization voted to continue participation in DCP funding alongside eleven other SWC agencies.
• California Sea Grant ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 August 2023SWC participates in Sea Grant Fellowship providing research opportunities for graduate and post-doctoral students interested in freshwater resources and policy decisions.
• California Department of Water Resources (DWR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSWC works in partnership with DWR which operates the State Water Project. DWR and SWC collaboratively fund science programs, with SWC investing over $2 million annually beyond DWR funding. DWR determines annual water allocations and manages infrastructure operations.
• San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program advocating for transformational water management approaches in the Delta and its tributaries.
• Northern California Water AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in developing responses for Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program, working with state and federal leaders on water management solutions.
• East Bay Municipal Utility DistrictmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program, contributing to collaborative water management for Delta and tributary resilience.
• Academic InstitutionsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSWC collaborates with universities and research institutions on Delta ecosystem science, habitat restoration research, and water management studies through its Science Program.
• U.S. Bureau of ReclamationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner collaborating with DWR and SWC on water operations, including Temporary Urgency Change Petitions and Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program development.
• California Department of Fish and WildlifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner in water operations and species protection. While litigation has occurred over Incidental Take Permit conditions, ongoing collaboration continues on ecosystem management.
• Conservation OrganizationsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partners in Voluntary Agreements and Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program, bringing together water agencies, regulators, and conservation groups for ecosystem solutions.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• California Water Service Group: A publicly traded investor-owned water utility serving California and other western states. While SWC's members are public agencies, California Water Service is a broad incumbent in California water delivery and a relevant comparator for water utility operations and infrastructure exposure.
• California Department of Water Resources: The state agency that operates the State Water Project, sets annual allocations, and holds the contracts with SWC's 27 member agencies. It is SWC's most important counterparty and a broad incumbent in California water governance, though it is a government entity rather than a peer association.

Direct peers

• Water Education Foundation: A California-based non-profit water education and policy organization. Comparable to SWC in its water-policy advocacy and stakeholder convening role, particularly around California water issues, though focused on education rather than direct contracting.
• National Water Resources Association: A national trade association representing state and local water resource agencies and irrigation districts. Directly comparable to SWC as a member-driven advocacy body for water agencies, but operating at the federal level rather than California-specific.
• Metropolitan Water District of Southern California: The largest SWC member agency, serving 19 million people across six counties through 26 member agencies. As a core SWC partner and DCP funder, MWD is a directly comparable water utility operating under the same SWP contracting framework as SWC's other member agencies.
• Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA): A California statewide association of public water agencies that, like SWC, advocates on policy, regulatory, and legislative matters for members contracting with state water infrastructure. ACWA and SWC frequently partner on California water issues, making them the most direct peer in advocacy scope and member base.
• East Bay Municipal Utility District: A major SWC member water utility serving the San Francisco Bay Area. As a Healthy Rivers and Landscapes partner and SWP contractor, EBMUD is a directly comparable public water agency engaged in the same Delta policy and infrastructure modernization agenda.
• American Water Works Association: The largest international non-profit scientific and educational association dedicated to water supply management. Comparable to SWC as a membership-based water-advocacy organization, though operating at a national/global scope and without SWC's specific State Water Project contracting nexus.
• San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority: A joint-powers authority of water agencies in the San Joaquin Valley that, like SWC, partners on Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program and Delta policy. It is a directly comparable water-authority entity with overlapping federal Central Valley Project and SWP contracting exposure.
• Northern California Water Association: A non-profit association representing northern California water agencies on Sacramento Valley water issues. It partners with SWC on Healthy Rivers and Landscapes and other Delta programs, making it a directly comparable member-driven water advocacy organization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/swc_cawater
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCNFhKtGfP21CeJORGIXaT0w
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/state-water-contractors

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about State Water Contractors