Metropolitan supports state decision to shut down water pumps

• Calls for aggressive actions to address larger delta issues; Southern California imported water needs will be met this year, despite temporary shutdown of pumps supplying water to 25 million in state

LOS ANGELES, May 31, 2007 -- In response to the temporary shutdown of the State Water Project pumps to protect an endangered fish, officials with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California today supported the action as a prudent, preventative measure to help protect Delta smelt.

"Today's action is sensible given the proximity of the smelt to the pumping stations. It's a proper preventative measure," said Metropolitan General Manager Jeff Kightlinger. "But there remains the need to take additional steps to fix the bigger issues facing a major water source for 25 million Californians -- the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta."

Although Southern California is adequately prepared to withstand a limited pump shutdown because of years of planning and storage development, Kightlinger called on state and federal resource officials to fast-track appropriate actions that can be met by specific deadlines.

"The pump shutdown is a serious matter because it points out the urgent need to address the multiple challenges facing the Delta. This unprecedented action should sound multiple alarms," Kightlinger said.

"We are disappointed that water exports were singled out today and that specific actions weren't offered to tackle some of the other causes," he added. "We strongly urge state leaders to act quickly to fix the problems facing the Delta and ensure all of California that the State Water Project will remain a viable source of water now and into the future. The time is now to address these issues."

Kightlinger emphasized there are multiple factors suspected of contributing to the decline of the Delta smelt, an endangered fish recently found clustered near the state's Delta pumping plant, which provides water for the Bay Area and state's Central Valley, as well as Southern California. Potential causes include invasive species, power plant operations, agricultural runoff carrying pesticides, diversions from Delta farmers, and predatory fish, along with water exports from the state and federal projects.

Metropolitan provides about half the water to 18 million Southern Californians by importing and treating supplies from Northern Californian via the State Water Project and from the Colorado River through the district's own Colorado River Aqueduct. Metropolitan currently relies on the State Water Project for as much as 60 percent of its total imported water supplies.

To meet imported water demands in 2007, Metropolitan plans to draw further into its reserves. Before today's action, Metropolitan expected to draw on 500,000 acre feet of water from multiple storage reserves to meet regional demands during the unique dry weather conditions in the West. (An acre-foot of water is 326,000 gallons, enough to supply two Southern California families for a year.)

"Metropolitan believes California needs a healthy Delta ecosystem to sustain its environment and its economy," said MWD board Chairman Timothy F. Brick.

"In the meantime, conservation by everyone in Southern California is especially important in the face of this record dry year in portions of the region," Brick said. "Water supplies were already complicated by dry conditions in the state and the Colorado River Basin, and now we have a pump shutdown. It is important for consumers to use water wisely now and well into the future."

This week, Metropolitan launched an intensive advertising campaign aimed at offering consumers easy-to-follow examples of how they can save water and stretch supplies. The advertisements direct consumers to Metropolitan's "bewaterwise.com" Web site to find a wealth of water-saving tips for both inside and outside homes and businesses.

Although Southern Californians have increasingly become more efficient with their water use, a stable State Water Project system is important to the vitality of Southern California, one of the largest economies in the world, said Marcie L. Edwards, Metropolitan board vice chair.

"I cannot over-emphasize how important it is to have our Delta issues fixed in a timely manner," Edwards said. "Even a hint that we may be facing serious issues that could threaten water supplies can create alarms that have far-reaching impacts on our economy."

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a cooperative of 26 cities and water agencies serving 18 million people in six counties. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage and other resource-management programs.

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Also see:
-- "DWR Stops Pumping to Protect Delta Smelt"
-- "ACWA Calls Temporary Shutdown of Delta Pumps 'Prudent'"
-- "State Water Contractors React to Shut Down of Delta Pumps"

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