Climate Change Experts to Help Inform and Prepare for Southern California’s Water Future as Part of Metropolitan Board Workshop

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Metropolitan Water District of Southern California:

 

WHAT:	As part of a virtual public workshop, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and its member agencies will confer with a panel of experts to anticipate and plan for the wide range of uncertainties climate change will pose to the region’s water supply and demands over the next 25 years. Four panelists will address how climate change will affect hydrologic conditions in Metropolitan’s service area and the watersheds associated with Southern California’s imported water supply. They will also offer better understanding of the key drivers that will impact future water reliability.
WHEN:	Tuesday, May 25, 12:30-3:30 p.m.
WHERE:	Workshop can be accessed at mwdh2o.com
EXPERTS:	Heather Cooley, director of research, Pacific Institute
	Heidi Roop, assistant professor, Department of Soil, Water and Climate, University of Minnesota
	Brad Udall, senior water and climate research scientist, Colorado Water Institute, Colorado State University
	Julie Vano, research director, Aspen Global Change Institute
BACKGROUND:	The public, virtual workshop is part of Metropolitan’s long-range planning process, known as its Integrated Water Resources Plan, which anticipates how much water the region can expect from its imported and local supply sources and forecasts regional water demand so that it can take strategic actions to address any water supply gaps and maintain future water reliability. Metropolitan’s 2020 IRP looks at multiple scenarios that could plausibly unfold in the future due to climate change, economic growth, regulations affecting water sources and demands, and other variables.

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a state-established cooperative that, along with its 26 cities and retail suppliers, provide water for 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.