Southern California: Water Conservation Rule Cancelled

When rain is not absorbed into the ground, it becomes stormwater runoff (File Photo – renourishment.org).

But, Southern Californian residents are asked to continue using water efficiently to prepare for uncertainty of Colorado River water supplies.

By News Desk

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California will no longer mandate emergency restrictions on water use for nearly 7 million people, after recent storms helped improve the availability of state water supplies.

While the board’s action on Tuesday, March 14 reflects improvements in the availability of State Water Project supplies, Metropolitan continues to call on residents and businesses across the region to use water as efficiently as possible to refill storage and prepare for potential steep cuts to supplies from the Colorado River.

“Southern California remains in a water supply deficit. The more efficiently we all use water today, the more we can keep in storage for a future dry year,” Water Committee Chair Tracy Quinn said.

The mandated emergency restrictions removed Tuesday had been in place since June 2022 and required residents to limit outdoor watering to one day a week or live within volumetric limits.

“We know these last nine months were a sacrifice for the dozens of communities under mandatory restrictions. On behalf of Metropolitan, I want to express our deep appreciation to all those who helped us stretch our available water supplies to get us through the acute emergency,” said Metropolitan board Chair Adán Ortega, Jr. “We needed a 35 percent reduction in use, and through your remarkable efforts, you achieved that. Thank you.”

Though Metropolitan is no longer requiring these restrictions, local water providers may still have mandatory measures in place. Residents and businesses are encouraged to contact their local water provider for the latest rules on water use in their communities.

Metropolitan General Manager Adel Hagekhalil explained that  “With rapid swings in weather that have become part of the climate reality for California, Southern California is committed to making the necessary investments to safeguard the region’s water supplies.

That means increasing our local supplies, accelerating our water recycling project, replenishing our reservoirs, investing in our water system, and helping the region continue their progress in conservation. We are all in this together.”