‘Reservoir of Drought’

Former board member Robert Gottlieb in his characterization of the Metropolitan Water District does readers a great disservice in his column, “For the MWD, It Isn’t Easy Being Green” (Commentary, Dec. 3).

He seems unhappy with older people being on our board. I and others, I’m sure, are puzzled as to why the talents, experience, and commitment of our mature citizens should not be sought in carrying out the critical mission--reliable water supply--of MWD.

Gottlieb acknowledges the variety of programs undertaken to assure our region’s water needs will be met but denies the board any credit, referring instead to the staff. In this, he is far off the mark just as he has been long off the board. The board has been integrally involved with the numerous programs recommended by staff in response to policies established by the board. These include our longstanding program of waste-water reclamation, substantial investment in water conservation, ground-water cleanup and use, a pilot project evaluating seawater desalination, and a number of projects to obtain some of the water used by irrigation districts.

One should keep in mind that MWD has met the difficult challenges of providing water for Southern California for over 50 years. Even during the current lengthy drought, harmful effects of shortages on our economy and lifestyles have been kept to a minimum. This is attributable to the very board and its policies he finds displeasing.

E. THORNTON IBBETSON

Past Chairman of the Board

Metropolitan Water District