Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) is celebrating the completion of Phase 1 of the Palm Desert Replenishment Facility.

In a ceremony today (Feb. 20), CVWD officials provided an overview of the project and a ceremonial turning of the valve to bring water into a new replenishment pond at the facility located behind the Steve Robbins Administration Building on Hovley Lane East in Palm Desert.

The purpose of the project is to help mitigate historical groundwater level declines and improve groundwater quality primarily within the West Whitewater River Subbasin Area of Benefit of the Coachella Valley Basin.

“CVWD has always been focused on ensuring the reliability of the water supplies of this region. Doing so is critical to our environment, to the vibrant economy that we enjoy, and to all our livelihood,” CVWD board President John Powell told the group gathered to mark the event. “But we haven’t done so alone. We have had partners and in the future, we will work to manage this basin as partners.”

Desert Water Agency has worked with CVWD on groundwater replenishment since the 1970s at the replenishment facility at Whitewater. The cities of Coachella and Indio are working with CVWD and DWA on sustainable groundwater management planning.

“We come from a long line of water managers that were ahead of their times,” DWA board president Joseph K. Stuart said. “It has been our responsibility and privilege to continue in their footsteps. This facility will improve groundwater conditions in the central Coachella Valley and further secure and diversify water imports.”

City of Coachella Mayor Pro Tem Emmanuel Martinez also praised the partnership between agencies.

“These types of partnerships are very important,” said Martinez who voiced his appreciation for the city’s involvement.

The Coachella Valley Water District is a public agency governed by a five-member board of directors. The district provides domestic and irrigation water, agricultural drainage, wastewater treatment and reclamation services, regional storm water protection, groundwater management and water conservation. It serves approximately 108,000 residential and business customers across 1,000 square miles, located primarily in Riverside County, but also in portions of Imperial and San Diego counties.