Due to an unexpected reduction in imported water from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), the City of San Diego was obligated to dip into its local water supplies to continue service to customers.
On Tuesday morning, algae clogged a filter screen on a major pipeline, causing an interruption in raw, untreated water from MWD to the San Diego County Water Authority. MWD cleared the pipeline that morning and full deliveries resumed by early afternoon. The City of San Diego purchases its imported water from the County Water Authority.
As a result, the City drew water from its reservoirs until imported water deliveries resumed.
“This incident is a good reminder of the importance of a diversified local water supply,” said Shauna Lorance, director of the City’s Public Utilities Department. “We continue to maximize our local alternatives while actively looking for ways to increase our water supply.”
To help make San Diego more sustainable, the City actively pursues ways to increase water supply and options. Also, the City’s Climate Action Plan calls for reducing daily per capita water consumption by 9 gallons and reduce daily per capita water consumption by an additional 5 gallons by 2035. To achieve these goals, activities include:
- Completing the Pure Water facility that will purify reclaimed water and amount to a third of the City’s water supply by 2035,
- Purchasing water from the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant in Carlsbad,
- Promoting water conservation citywide,
- Protecting the City’s resources to support a safe and sustainable water supply,
- Using recycled water for irrigation, manufacturing and other non-drinking or non-potable purposes
- Planning or developing several groundwater basins for municipal water supply and other beneficial use.
The City currently purchases 80% to 90% of its water, which is imported from Northern California and the Colorado River. More information about the City’s water supply is available on the Public Utilities website at sandiego.gov/public-utilities/sustainability/water-supply.
