The Metropolitan District of Southern California declared a regional drought emergency this week and calls upon all water agencies in Southern California to the further cutback water use of all imported supplies.
This announcement comes as California prepares for a fourth consecutive dry year and on Dec. 13, Metropolitian’s board adopted a resolution warning that the water resolution call could become mandatory if drought conditions persist in the coming months.
The water district said it will consider allocating supplies to all of its 26 member agencies, requiring them to cut their use of imported water or face steep additional penalties on water purchased by a metropolitan.
​​Metropolitan serves 26 water agencies—cities, municipal water districts, and one county water authority—that delivers supplies directly or indirectly to approximately 19 million people in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura counties. The water district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California.
“Conditions on the Colorado River are growing increasingly dire. We simply cannot continue turning to that source to make up the difference in our limited state supplies. In addition, three years of California drought are drawing down our local storage,” board Chairwoman Gloria D. Gray said.
The agency said it will be developing what could be one of the largest recycled water facilities in the world– Pure Water Southern California. Despite these projects, the agency urges water conservation during this critical period.
According to Metropolitan, 75 percent of all water used in Southern California is used for yards and gardens. Residents are encouraged to reassess their irrigation of yards and gardens during the winter as cooler and wetter weather can reduce watering needs.
For more information, visit bewaterwise.com.
