Metropolitan Water District considering 15 percent cut in water delivery

HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- As the drought continues to affect California, the Metropolitan Water District is considering cutting back water deliveries by 15 percent.

The MWD supplies water to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, agencies in Orange County and others across Southern California. The cutback is about 300,000 acre-feet of water, which is enough for 600,000 families per year.

"It's not going to be easy. We have hardened our demand. People have really reduced their water usage in the last 25 years," said Jeffrey Kightlinger, general manager of MWD.

But some members feel the reduction is not enough. Those members said the situation is serious and wanted cutbacks as high as 20 percent on water deliveries.

"I'm concerned that we're going to deplete our storage or our savings account to the point where we're going to get dangerously low," said Keith Lewinger, a board member at San Diego County Water Authoritiy.

Under the proposal, the water district would implement surcharges and penalties on water agencies that do not reduce their deliveries.

"Just keep in mind that all resources in the state of California, including water, are limited, and we are all in this together," said Randy Record, director of MWD.