Metropolitan General Manager Adel Hagekhalil called for a united, statewide response following Gov. Gavin Newsom's Executive Order issued Tuesday (Oct. 19) that expands the statewide drought declaration to include all of California. "All of our communities across the state must do what we can to conserve our limited water resources ... given the increasing severity of conditions, we all need to step up and immediately cut back our water use even more," he said. Metropolitan plans to expand rebates to encourage Southern Californians to save more water. Next month, the board will consider urging member water agencies to implement mandatory conservation. Visit bewaterwise.com for rebates and water-saving tips.

Building on increased collaboration on the Colorado River, Metropolitan and Arizona water agencies have forged a new partnership to advance development of one of the largest water recycling plants in the country – a project that would help restore balance to the over-stressed river. Through an agreement approved recently by Metropolitan’s Board of Directors, the Central Arizona Project and Arizona Department of Water Resources will contribute up to $6 million to environmental planning of the Regional Recycled Water Program, a project to purify treated wastewater to produce a new, drought-proof water supply for Southern California. Southern Nevada Water Authority signed a similar agreement with Metropolitan earlier this year. Read the joint press release.

General Manager Hagekhalil writes about how Metropolitan has been planning for the worst and hoping for the best. "Planning to start the coming year with zero new supplies is a part of modern water life," he writes. "It's why we must invest in more drought-proof supplies. And it is why each of us must do our part to conserve what precious water we have."

Hagekhalil credits conservation for the ability to have water in reserves in Lake Mead. "Prudent management of these reserves will evolve right along with our water supply conditions and help us meet the challenges facing the Colorado River as its flows decline due to climate change and drought."

In addition, Hagekhalil testified Wednesday (Oct. 20) before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife to address Colorado River drought conditions and response measures. "Metropolitan is committed to working cooperatively within California, and with other basin states, the federal government, Mexico, tribes and other stakeholders to find the necessary solutions to minimize the impacts of reduced water supply reliability,” he said.

In its ongoing dedication to improving its workplace culture for all employees, Metropolitan's board of directors has adopted a statement pledging its support of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The Statement of Commitment recently approved by the board is the result of a collaborative discussion among the 38-member board and provides guidance so that staff can develop, implement and maintain policies and practices to support diversity, equity and inclusion. Read the press release.