Ontario City Wins Legal Challenge Against Inland Empire Water Deal, Protecting Local Water Supply
In a significant legal decision, a California court has ruled in favor of the City of Ontario against the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA), marking a major victory for local water security. The court's ruling comes after Ontario raised serious concerns regarding the Chino Basin Program (CBP), which sought to transfer large amounts of locally sourced water to Northern California. On September 4, 2025, the San Bernardino Superior Court found that IEUA had violated the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) when it approved the CBP back in May 2022.
The ruling identified multiple issues in IEUA's approach, particularly their failure to adequately evaluate and disclose the environmental impacts of the CBP and the Feather River Exchange. The court stated that IEUA effectively ‘piecemealed’ the project’s evaluation, neglecting to consider how the water transfer would affect not just the Chino Basin, but the entire region’s water supply balance. Furthermore, the court criticized the agency for adopting inconsistent project descriptions and biased objectives that supported its unwillingness to analyze feasible alternatives to the project.
Ontario City Councilmember Debra Porada remarked on the implications of the ruling, emphasizing that this outcome demonstrates the community's need for transparent and responsible regional water planning. Porada expressed her gratitude for the court’s decision, which she believes safeguards the water resources that Ontario residents have already contributed to and depend upon. The ruling also underscores the necessity for agencies like IEUA to honestly evaluate alternative solutions that would allow local water supplies to remain in the community, rather than being diverted elsewhere.
The court's decision mandates that IEUA rescind its certifications relating to the Environmental Impact Report of the CBP. Importantly, this victory is not merely a legal win; it resonates deeply with the communities within the Chino Basin that heavily rely on secure local water supplies amid ongoing concerns about water scarcity and environmental sustainability. The CBP aimed to transfer approximately 375,000 acre-feet of water, which would have increased Ontario’s dependence on imported water sources. However, IEUA’s actions, as highlighted by the court, lacked comprehensive analysis and transparency, leaving many questions unaddressed about the sustainability of such a significant water transfer.
The City of Ontario had consistently voiced its opposition to the project, engaging in various discussions and official correspondences with IEUA to emphasize the potential dangers of the CBP. This legal ruling serves to validate the anxieties expressed by city officials and community members alike, as they have sought to protect local interests amid a backdrop of growing water-related challenges in California.
Looking forward, Ontario is committed to working collaboratively with IEUA and other regional agencies to foster water resource management that prioritizes the needs of local communities. This ruling not only empowers Ontario but sets a precedent for proactive advocacy in water resource matters across the region. As the implications of climate change and population growth continue to pressurize water availability, the battle for locally managed water resources becomes even more crucial. Ontario citizens can take pride in their collective efforts, which ultimately led to this courtroom victory, reclaiming their right to local water security and effective environmental stewardship.
The ruling identified multiple issues in IEUA's approach, particularly their failure to adequately evaluate and disclose the environmental impacts of the CBP and the Feather River Exchange. The court stated that IEUA effectively ‘piecemealed’ the project’s evaluation, neglecting to consider how the water transfer would affect not just the Chino Basin, but the entire region’s water supply balance. Furthermore, the court criticized the agency for adopting inconsistent project descriptions and biased objectives that supported its unwillingness to analyze feasible alternatives to the project.
Ontario City Councilmember Debra Porada remarked on the implications of the ruling, emphasizing that this outcome demonstrates the community's need for transparent and responsible regional water planning. Porada expressed her gratitude for the court’s decision, which she believes safeguards the water resources that Ontario residents have already contributed to and depend upon. The ruling also underscores the necessity for agencies like IEUA to honestly evaluate alternative solutions that would allow local water supplies to remain in the community, rather than being diverted elsewhere.
The court's decision mandates that IEUA rescind its certifications relating to the Environmental Impact Report of the CBP. Importantly, this victory is not merely a legal win; it resonates deeply with the communities within the Chino Basin that heavily rely on secure local water supplies amid ongoing concerns about water scarcity and environmental sustainability. The CBP aimed to transfer approximately 375,000 acre-feet of water, which would have increased Ontario’s dependence on imported water sources. However, IEUA’s actions, as highlighted by the court, lacked comprehensive analysis and transparency, leaving many questions unaddressed about the sustainability of such a significant water transfer.
The City of Ontario had consistently voiced its opposition to the project, engaging in various discussions and official correspondences with IEUA to emphasize the potential dangers of the CBP. This legal ruling serves to validate the anxieties expressed by city officials and community members alike, as they have sought to protect local interests amid a backdrop of growing water-related challenges in California.
Looking forward, Ontario is committed to working collaboratively with IEUA and other regional agencies to foster water resource management that prioritizes the needs of local communities. This ruling not only empowers Ontario but sets a precedent for proactive advocacy in water resource matters across the region. As the implications of climate change and population growth continue to pressurize water availability, the battle for locally managed water resources becomes even more crucial. Ontario citizens can take pride in their collective efforts, which ultimately led to this courtroom victory, reclaiming their right to local water security and effective environmental stewardship.
Topics Policy & Public Interest）
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