Southern California officials Tuesday evening declared a water shortage emergency for the first time ever.
The Metropolitan Water District’s board declared a water shortage emergency and ordered SoCal residents to restrict outdoor watering to one day a week.
The restrictions will go into effect June 1.
Cities and water suppliers that get their water from the agency will face hefty fines if they don’t comply and exceed monthly water limits, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Metropolitan’s board declared a Water Shortage Emergency and for the first time ever, implemented an Emergency Water Conservation Program – requiring member agencies in State Water Project-dependent areas, home to 6M #SoCal residents, to restrict outdoor watering to 1 day a week.
— MWD of SoCal (@mwdh2o) April 26, 2022
Parts of Los Angeles, Ventura and San Bernardino counties will be required to cut back outdoor watering.
1/3 of our region – parts of LA, Ventura & San Bernardino counties – faces an emergency because of reliance on severely limited NorCal supplies. We’re requiring these areas to cut back outdoor watering to 1 day a week, but need all #SoCal residents + businesses to save up to 30%.
— MWD of SoCal (@mwdh2o) April 26, 2022
KTLA reported:
A water shortage emergency was declared by Southern California water officials for the first time ever on Tuesday.
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California implemented an “Emergency Water Conservation Program,” restricting outdoor watering to one day a week in parts of Los Angeles, Ventura and San Bernardino counties. The restrictions will take effect on June 1.
The action affects some 6 million residents and comes at a time when one-third of the region “faces an emergency because of reliance on severely limited NorCal supplies,” the agency said.
Since the water supply in California’s major reservoirs are at a record low, the Metropolitan Water District doesn’t have enough water to meet demand.
Cities and smaller water suppliers that get water from the district will need to find ways to cut usage or restrict outdoor watering.
