San Dieguito Water District could face cutbacks

The San Dieguito Water District and other local agencies could face water cutbacks this summer because of the ongoing drought.

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California will consider reducing allocations to local water agencies by 5 percent to 10 percent, or perhaps more, in April. If Metropolitan, the region’s wholesaler, approves the cutback, it would take effect July 1.

Bill O’Donnell, assistant general manager of the San Dieguito district, shared the news with the board at last week’s meeting.

“Staff is currently preparing for these potential cutbacks,” he said.

The potential cuts are based on water supply projections in Northern California, the Colorado River and local supplies.

“Should state project supplies not improve substantially, it won’t be a matter of if, but how much mandatory water cutbacks will be necessary to meet demands and maintain reasonable reserves,” Metropolitan General Manager Jeffrey Kightlinger said in a press release.

O’Donnell said San Dieguito Water District water purchases so far this fiscal year are down 1.7 percent when compared with the same period the year prior. In January, purchases were down 17 percent.

“We’re beginning to see a positive customer response to the drought,” O’Donnell said.