Jeffrey Kightlinger, general manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, issues the following statement regarding the official declaration of drought conditions by California Gov. Jerry Brown:

"Metropolitan fully supports the governor's declaration as an important first step in highlighting the potential severity of this drought on California. This is likely the first of many actions by the Brown and Obama administrations to manage the state's limited water resources as prudently as possible. The governor's challenge to each and every Californian to reduce water use sends the right message that we are one state and can never take water for granted. Lowering water demand in Southern California is a big reason why this region has sufficient supplies short term, but this drought is a wakeup call to re-examine all of our water uses and redouble the commitment to conserve every possible drop."

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a cooperative of 26 cities and water agencies serving nearly 19 million people in six counties.The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage and other resource-management programs.

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Bob Muir, 213-217-6930; 213-324-5213, mobile