MWD’S Upper Feeder Pipeline repair complete

LONG BEACH, CALIF. (SEPT. 19, 2022) — An emergency repair to a pipeline bringing water to Southern California has been completed ahead of schedule.

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, or MWD, the agency that provides imported water to much of the region, completed repairs early Monday to a leaking pipeline bringing water from the Colorado River to the region.

About 30 percent of Long Beach Water is purchased from MWD, with the rest coming from local groundwater wells and reclaimed water facilities.

The Upper Feeder Pipeline was shut down during the repair, impacting already strained supplies of imported water from the Colorado River Aqueduct and the State Water Project in Northern California. During the shutdown, MWD called upon residents in the greater Los Angeles County region to refrain from outdoor watering and conserve as much as possible.

In response to MWD’s call, Long Beach Water asked customers to limit water use, both indoors and outdoors, as much as possible to reduce impacts to our region and help safeguard our future water supply. Long Beach residents and businesses heeded the call, reducing water use by an additional 10 percent during the shutdown.

Normal outdoor watering can now resume two days a week under Stage 2 of our water supply shortage plan.

As an agency, Long Beach Water remains committed to enhancing our local water system to avoid dependence on imported water. This includes a robust plan already in progress to invest in groundwater wells throughout the city to maximize our local, reliable source of drinking water.

Long Beach residents looking for new ways to save water can take advantage of programs we offer such as Lawn-to-Garden, which gives a cash incentive to those who tear out their lawn and install a drought-friendly garden.

For more water-saving tips, programs and assistance, head to LiveH2OLB.com.

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ABOUT LONG BEACH WATER

Long Beach Water serves nearly 500,000 people in 50 square miles, providing high quality, safe and delicious drinking water and managing wastewater collection. As caretakers of one of our most precious and limited natural resources, Long Beach Water takes pride in being a leader in sustainability and innovation. To learn more visit lbwater.org. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.