WSP04436

• File Number: 8210.140.20
• Description: Colorado River Basin Organizations and Entities - Colorado River Basin States Forum - California
• State: CA
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 1/1/1939
• Author: Metro Water District
• Title: Metropolitan Water District of Southern California - History and First Annual Report
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Annual Report

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CHAPTER 12

Distrihution System

WHEN THE COLORADO RIVER aqueduct project was first con-
sidered, attention was directed particularly to the problem
of transporting water from the Colorado River across the
desert region lying east of the developed portion of Southern Cali-
fornia to a terminal reservoir at some point within or close to the
area to be served. As the plans became more definite, it was real-
ized that an important part of the undertaking would be means of
economically distributing the water to the various member cities
after it had reached the end of the main aqueduct. Consequently
definite plans were started, early in 1931, on the design of dis-
tributing lines and facilities for this purpose. Taken together,
these features are termed the District's distribution system.
This is not a distribution system in the customary meaning, as
the District will not deliver to individual lIsers, but will furnish
water in wholesale quantities to member cities for distribution by
local municipal water departments, to angment supplies obtained
from present sourees.
While there are thirteen cities in the District at present with a
population of more than 2,000,000, the potential service area com-
prises most of the coastal plain of Southern California. Although
growth in water demand in the metropolitan area is inevitable, it
cannot be definitely foreseen as to just where the greatest demand
will be, or what will be the rate of increase. With this uncertainty
in view it was deemed advisable to keep the District's distribution
system as flexible as possible in order to economically meet the
increasing demands for water where and when they may arise.
Flexibility is to be accomplished by construction in progressive
stages, with a first development consisting of adequate features to
serve all of the member cities either directly or indirectly for a
few years. When the demand fOJ' water reaches the capacity of
this initial system, additional features wiIl be added as required
in accordance with a general predetermined plan until the delivery
of the full capacity of the main aqueduct is attained. The District's
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