Aug. 26, 2021
Metropolitan Declares Water Supply Alert in Response to Severe Drought
In response to the extreme drought conditions throughout California, Metropolitan's Board of Directors declared a Water Supply Alert last week, calling for consumers and businesses to voluntarily reduce their water use and help preserve the region's storage reserves. "Southern Californians have done an extraordinary job reducing their water use, which has helped us build up our stored reserves for times like these. But now we’re relying on our storage to get us through this exceptionally dry year. And we don’t know what next year will bring," Metropolitan board Chairwoman Gloria D. Gray said. "We must all find ways we can save even more so we have the water we need if this drought continues." Read the media release.

The Metropolitan's board action came a day after the Bureau of Reclamation declared the first-ever shortage conditions on the Colorado River, which typically provides about 25 percent of Southern California’s water needs. Read GM Adel Hagekhalil's statement.
Metropolitan Launches New Advertising Campaign
Starting this month, Metropolitan is launching a new campaign that asks Southern Californians to do what they do best, to save water. Using imagery of uniquely Californian themes, including its history, iconic infrastructure, entertainment industry and surfing culture, the creative encourages the public to visit bewaterwise.com to access simple, everyday tips to save water, as well as rebates for high-efficiency household appliances and to convert lawns to more sustainable California Friendly® and native landscapes. The campaign will also focus on reaching diverse and underserved audiences with culturally relevant creative assets. The digital billboards, bus shelters, social media and radio spots will be featured across the district’s 5,200 square-mile service area.
Western Agencies Partner to Conserve Colorado River Water
Seizing every opportunity to use Colorado River resources as efficiently and effectively as possible and to help slow Lake Mead’s declining levels, water agencies across the Southwest are partnering with the federal government to fund a short-term agricultural land fallowing program in California that will conserve water on a large scale. The partnership among the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Metropolitan, Central Arizona Project, Southern Nevada Water Authority, and Palo Verde Irrigation District is expected to conserve up to 180,000 acre-feet of water over the next three years, amounting to about a 3-foot increase in Lake Mead’s water level. Read the media release.