The Stanislaus Regional Water Authority (SRWA) is a Joint Powers Authority (JPA), which includes the California Cities of Ceres and Turlock (Cities). Currently, the Cities rely on groundwater as their only source of drinking water supply. The State of California has identified the Turlock Groundwater Subbasin as a high priority basin under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. Reliance on groundwater as a single source of supply is not sustainable and has become less reliable due to both the decline in water quality and the increasing number of regulated contaminants. For this reason, the SRWA has been evaluating water supply options to provide a diversified and sustainable water supply portfolio to the current and future residential and industrial customers in both Cities.

In partnership with Turlock Irrigation District (TID), SRWA has identified the Tuolumne River as a surface water supply that can be used in conjunction with the Cities groundwater systems to provide a long-term, reliable drinking water supply for both Cities. The project to divert, treat and deliver drinking water to the Cities is known as the Regional Surface Water Supply Project (Project). This Project provides a diversified regional water supply, allows for drought water management, improves water quality, and helps to replenish groundwater supplies. The Project is currently in the design and construction phases and is scheduled to be delivering water to the Cities in mid-2023.