The nation’s largest water supplier has declared a drought emergency for all of Southern California. This clears the way for potential mandatory water restrictions early next year that could impact 19 million people.
The Metropolitan Water District (MWD) of Southern California provides water to 26 different agencies that supply major population centers like Los Angeles and San Diego counties.
Last April, the agency declared a drought emergency for six of its member agencies, including the Los Angeles DWP, triggering the current mandatory outdoor watering restrictions., reports LAist. This new declaration refers to all 26 of its member agencies and could lead to more severe water rules by April.
California will likely enter its fourth year of a severe drought in 2023, after enduring the driest three years in the state’s recorded history. The MWD supplies water from Northern California and the Colorado River to 19 million people in Southern California.
On Tuesday, the MWD board voted to extend the April declaration to cover all the water agencies in Southern California. They called for an immediate reduction in water usage. By April 2023, the board will decide whether to make those cuts mandatory if the drought continues, according to the Associated Press.
“Some Southern Californians may have felt somewhat protected from these extreme conditions over the past few years. They shouldn’t anymore. We are all affected,” said Gloria D. Gray, chair of the Metropolitan Water District’s Board.
State officials recently announced that water agencies like Metropolitan will only get 5 percent of their requested supplies for the start of 2023 due to lower reservoir levels., reports CBS News. Some agencies may get a little bit more if it’s necessary for drinking, sanitation, or other health and safety concerns.
“I think Metropolitan is being very proactive in doing this,” said Dave Eggerton, executive director of the Association of California Water Agencies. “It’s really the right thing to do.”
Up to 75 percent of all water used in Southern California is for irrigating yards and gardens. Water agencies dependent upon imported water from the state have had restrictions for much of the year, including limiting outdoor watering to just one day per week.
