Water rationing may be in the pipeline

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California may be forced to restrict available wholesale water supplies to its 26 member public agencies as early as July, pending a vote next month from its Board of Directors, officials announced Wednesday.

News of a possible rationing comes just after the State Water Resources Control Board announced it would continue water conservation mandates and statewide restrictions on use. It also follows a relatively disappointing “Miracle March,” thought to be the last seasonal chance that reservoirs and groundwater storage supplies might be filled.

MWD has met customer needs in years past by withdrawing supplies stored in its reserves. But water officials say that supply is dangerously close to reaching the minimum it needs for emergency water uses as California’s drought reaches into its fourth year.

Board members are scheduled to vote on the matter in an upcoming regular meeting April 14.