Critical Water Shortage , Causes California To Declare , Unprecedented Water Restrictions.<br />Al Jazeera reports that due to prolonged drought, <br />the state of California is asking residents <br />to use less water this summer or face dire shortages.<br />Such restrictions are unprecedented <br />for the Metropolitan Water District <br />of Southern California, .<br />which has operated for almost 100 years <br />serving at least 20 million Californians.<br />Officials have asked residents to scale back outdoor watering to ensure there's enough water for drinking, cooking and flushing toilets in the next few months.<br />This is real. This is serious and unprecedented. , Adel Hagekhalil, general manager of the Metropolitan <br />Water District of Southern California, via Al Jazeera.<br />We need to do it, otherwise <br />we don’t have enough <br />water for indoor use... , Adel Hagekhalil, general manager of the Metropolitan <br />Water District of Southern California, via Al Jazeera.<br />...which is the basic health and safety stuff we need every day. , Adel Hagekhalil, general manager of the Metropolitan <br />Water District of Southern California, via Al Jazeera.<br />Though limitations have been implemented<br />in the past, officials say the new restrictions<br />are the most stringent.<br />This is the first time we’ve <br />said, we don’t have enough <br />water to last us for the rest <br />of the year, unless we cut <br />our usage by 35 percent. , Adel Hagekhalil, general manager of the Metropolitan <br />Water District of Southern California, via Al Jazeera.<br />Much of the water intended for Southern California begins as snow in the Sierra Nevadas and the Rocky Mountains.<br />Much of the water intended for Southern California begins as snow in the Sierra Nevadas and the Rocky Mountains.<br />We have two systems – one <br />in the California Sierras and one <br />in the Rockies – and we’ve never had both systems drained, Adel Hagekhalil, general manager of the Metropolitan <br />Water District of Southern California, via Al Jazeera.<br />This is the first time ever. , Adel Hagekhalil, general manager of the Metropolitan <br />Water District of Southern California, via Al Jazeera
