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S.D. City Leaders Urge Water Cutbacks

San Diego city leaders are urging people to start conserving water now. That's because a huge source of the region's water will stop flowing later this year under court order. KPBS reporter Andrew Phe

San Diego city leaders are urging people to start conserving water now. That's because a huge source of the region's water will stop flowing later this year under court order. KPBS reporter Andrew Phelps has more.

Water is precious enough at it is. Ninety percent of it is imported to San Diego.

Mayor Jerry Sanders is calling for voluntary cutbacks: Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and shorten your showers. He's also asking businesses to conserve.

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City Attorney Mike Aguirre wants mandatory conservation. He's asked the city council to declare a Stage 2 water emergency.

Aguirre: San Diego is the most vulnerable, the most dependent on surplus and imported water of any major city in the state of California. We have not recognized that.

The city council meets in two weeks to debate voluntary versus mandatory conservation.

Andrew Phelps, KPBS News.