Metropolitan strikes deal with San Diego for stored water in Kern County

The San Diego County Water Authority and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California have reached an agreement to provide water to parts of Southern California facing extraordinary supply constraints due to cutbacks on the State Water Project.

In the deal, San Diego will provide water from an underground storage facility in Kern County to  serve areas in Metropolitan’s northwest and northeast parts service area that aren’t connected to the Colorado River supplies and are heavily reliant on limited State Water Project supplies.

“Metropolitan is committed to doing everything we can to bring more water to communities in our service area that are particularly challenged by the drought. We’re thrilled to have the Water Authority partner with us in this effort, supporting the well-being of all Southern California,” said Metropolitan Water Chair Gloria D. Gray.

Beginning in 2022, Metropolitan will purchase 4,200 acre-feet of the San Diego’s reserves in the Semitropic Water Bank and lease an additional 5,000 acre-feet from the Water Authority’ account.

“We expect that this will be the first of many innovative and collaborative solutions with Metropolitan to sustain our collective economy and quality of life,” said Water Authority Chair Gary Croucher.

Access to supplies in the Semitropic Water Bank is important because it is strategically located along the California Aqueduct and can supplement the limited state project deliveries.