The 2010 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) includes a general discussion on the history of Santa Clara Valley Water District as well as information on climate, demographics, and the economy of Santa Clara County. Water supply sources including groundwater, local surface water, imported water, water recycling and efforts related to desalination are described in the plan. Also included is information on historical water use, water conservation programs, demand projections, water shortage contingency and supply interruption planning, water quality, reliability and threats to reliability. In addition, the plan examines the water supply outlook in the County under different hydrologic conditions in accordance with DWR guidelines.

Water supply projections are based on CA Department of Water Resources 2009 Reliability Study and CALSIM II modeling results for future 2029 conditions with climate change. Chapter 9 provides more detail on this topic, including a comparison of imports from the Delta with and without climate change.

The 2010 UWMP is based on current operational assumptions. Water supplies and any shortages identified in the plan, and how to best address these, will be evaluated in the Water Master Plan. The Water Master Plan takes the process to the next level through the identification, weighting and prioritization of needed water supply and infrastructure projects.