About the Freeport Regional Water Project
The Freeport Regional Water Authority (FRWA) was established in February 2002 through a Joint Powers Agreement between the Sacramento County Water Agency (SCWA) and the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD). This unique partnership was formed to address the growing water supply needs of the Sacramento region and the East Bay area, while promoting environmental stewardship and regional cooperation.
FRWA led the planning, financing, permitting, construction, and delivery of the Freeport Regional Water Project (FRWP)—a large-scale water intake and conveyance system that diverts surface water from the Sacramento River near the town of Freeport. The water is then transported through pipelines to serve municipal and industrial users in both Sacramento County and the East Bay.
Today, FRWA continues to own, operate, and maintain the FRWP facilities. These include the river intake structure, fish screens, pumping station, and transmission pipelines that connect to downstream treatment plants and aqueduct systems. FRWA’s role ensures that both partner agencies receive reliable, high-quality water supplies that are consistent with long-term water resource planning and environmental sustainability.
The FRWP is an example of effective interagency collaboration, designed to:
- Reduce reliance on groundwater and support sustainable groundwater management,
- Improve regional drought resilience, and
- Minimize impacts on the Delta ecosystem.
Through its ongoing efforts, FRWA remains committed to securing water for the future, protecting local resources, and supporting the needs of communities across the region.
