Metropolitan General Manager’s Statement on State Plan to Stage California WaterFix

LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jeffrey Kightlinger, general manager of the Metropolitan Water
District of Southern California, issued the following statement
following the state’s announced decision today to stage the development
of California WaterFix:

“Metropolitan recognizes that a staged approach to California WaterFix
reflects the project’s economic realities at this time. Staging the
project was not the original solution that the many stakeholders were
planning toward, but the status quo is simply not acceptable and we must
begin building the reliability the state needs.

“By staging California WaterFix, the state can tap the critical mass and
support it has to move forward with an initial phase that modernizes the
water system in the Delta by designing and constructing one tunnel and
two intakes. Metropolitan continues to explore pathways that align cost
and benefits and will work with our partners on a financing agreement.
But the final decision regarding participation in the staged project
will ultimately be made by our Board of Directors.”

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.

Contacts

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Bob Muir, (213)
324-5213, mobile
Rebecca Kimitch, (202) 821-5253, mobile