News Flash

Coachella Valley Water District's contractor (T.E. Roberts) will be paving Cook Street as the WRP-10 Low Pressure pipeline construction comes to an end. From Monday, Dec. 1, through the week of Jan. 5, 2026, the construction crew will pave Cook Street. Paving through intersections on Cook Street will be scheduled for nights to minimize disruptions.Work Hours: Day schedule: 6:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.Night schedule: 7 p.m. – 3:30 a.m.Traffic Plan and Detours:

• Northbound traffic on Cook Street will be reduced to one lane.
• Southbound lanes will be unaffected.
• Eastbound traffic at intersections throughout Cook Street will have limited access throughout the nights as the Contractor crosses each intersection.

Schedule and Limits of Traffic Impact:

• Dec. 1 (Day Work): Paving through the Belmonte Drive intersection
• Dec. 2 (Day Work): Paving from Merle Drive to Green Way
• Dec. 3 (Day Work): Paving from Green Way to Hovley Lane East
• Dec. 4 (Day Work): Paving from Hovley Lane East to Riviera Drive
• Dec. 21 (Night Work): Paving from CVWD’s WRP-10 entrance, south of Sheryl Avenue to Merle Drive, and through the intersections at Merle Drive and Green Way
• Dec. 22 (Night Work): Paving through the intersection at Hovley Lane East
• Week of Jan. 5 (Day Work): Striping work from CVWD’s WRP-10 entrance to Riviera Drive

Please plan and use alternative routes and expect delays around the affected areas. Detours are posted throughout Cook Street.Posted schedules may change due to inclement weather or field conditions.About the Project:This portion of the project will expand CVWD’s delivery capacity to serve nonpotable recycled water to more customers throughout the valley, thereby maximizing the use of recycled water and reducing groundwater pumping for outdoor irrigation. It also addresses long-term water management goals by increasing the supply of recycled water to supplement local water supplies and safeguarding the local groundwater basin for future generations. Visit cvwd.org/NPWConnectionProjects to learn more.

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Coachella Valley Water District is a public agency governed by a five-member board of directors. The District serves the community with domestic water, agricultural irrigation and drainage, wastewater collection and treatment, nonpotable and recycled water, regional stormwater protection, groundwater management, and water conservation programs. It serves approximately 114,000 residential and business customers across 1,000 square miles, primarily in Riverside County and portions of Imperial and San Diego counties.Media Contact: Lorraine Garcia, PIOEmail: Lorraine.Garcia@cvwd.orgOffice: (760) 398-2661, ext. 2549Cell: (760) 695-4007

Coachella Valley Water District’s contractor (T.E. Roberts) is continuing work on Cook Street to install a nonpotable water pipeline. Changes have been made to traffic control as the work approaches the intersection of Cook Street and Hovley Lane East in Palm Desert, with night work scheduled to begin.

On Sunday, September 21, through Friday, September 26, the construction crew will work at night and continue installing the nonpotable pipeline through the intersection of Hovley Lane East on Cook Street. 

Work hours: 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. 

Traffic Plan and Detours:

• North and Southbound traffic on Hovley Lane East will remain open through the intersection at Cook Street without interruption. 
• East and westbound traffic on Hovely Lane East will not have access to Cook Street at the intersection. 
• Eastbound traffic from Portola Drive will be detoured to turn right onto Corporate Way and left on Ave 42, to access north and eastbound Cook Street.
• Westbound traffic traveling on Hovley Lane East will be detoured to make a right onto (northbound) Cook Street, a left turn on (westbound) Country Club Drive, a left turn onto (southbound) Portola Road, and a right turn onto westbound or eastbound Hovley Lane East. Then through Corporate Way. 

Important Note: Detours and the traffic plan will remain in place during the day until the night work is completed to ensure safety measures due to open trenches and other construction hazards. 

Monday, September 29, 2025, pipeline installation will continue through early October 2025 during daytime work hours north of Hovley Lane East on Cook Street.

Work hours: 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Traffic Plan and Detours: 

• East and westbound traffic on Hovley Lane East will remain open at the intersection at Cook Street without detour or interruption.
• Northbound Cook Street traffic will proceed through Hovley Lane East, and one lane from St James Place to Riviera Dr (1,000 feet) north of Hovley Lane East will be closed; the northbound far-right lane will remain open. 

CVWD encourages drivers to use alternative routes if possible and to expect delays around the affected areas. Detours are posted throughout Cook Street.

Posted schedules are subject to change due to inclement weather or field conditions.

About the project:This portion of the project will expand CVWD’s delivery capacity to serve nonpotable recycled water to more customers throughout the valley, thereby maximizing the use of recycled water and reducing groundwater pumping for outdoor irrigation. It also addresses long-term water management goals by increasing the supply of recycled water to supplement local water supplies and safeguarding the local groundwater basin for future generations. Visit cvwd.org/NPWConnectionProjects to learn more.

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Coachella Valley Water District is a public agency governed by a five-member board of directors. The district serves the community with domestic water, agricultural irrigation and drainage, wastewater collection and treatment, nonpotable and recycled water, regional stormwater protection, groundwater management, and water conservation programs. It serves approximately 114,000 residential and business customers across 1,000 square miles, primarily in Riverside County and portions of Imperial and San Diego counties. 

Media Contact: Lorraine Garcia, PIOEmail: Lorraine.Garcia@cvwd.orgOffice: (760) 398-2661, ext. 2549Cell: (760) 695-4007  

Coachella Valley Water District’s contractor (T.E. Roberts) is continuing work on Cook Street to install a nonpotable water pipeline. Changes have been made to traffic control as the work approaches Green Way.

Construction Timeline: June 9, 2025, through September 26, 2025

Work hours: Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Traffic Impact Schedule:

Phase II (August 15, 2025 – September 12, 2025) UPDATED

• Access to St James Place from Cook Street has been closed due to the Contractor preparing to cross the intersection and is currently estimated to be reopened when Phase II construction is complete.
• Access to Boardwalk will require a detour through Beacon Hill from Hovley Lane or through Green Way to Mayfair Drive.
• South and northbound traffic has been reduced to one lane on Cook Street from north of Sheryl Avenue to Hovley Lane for approximately half a mile. 
• Access to Sheryl Avenue and Merle Drive is available from both southbound and northbound lanes.
• Construction activity has been moved to night work to keep access to Green Way open during the day. Access to Green Way will be closed during the construction hours of 7:00 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. from August 25, 2025 to August 27, 2025.

Phase III (September 12, 2025 – September 26, 2025) UPDATED

• Northbound lanes on Cook Street will be closed from Hovley Lane to Country Club Drive. All traffic will be rerouted through Hovley Lane to Portola Avenue.
• Alternative plans are being considered to prevent lane closures. Therefore, Phase III is subject to change. Notifications will be actively posted.

Please plan and use alternative routes if possible and expect delays around the affected areas. Detours are posted throughout Cook Street.

Posted schedules may change due to inclement weather or field conditions.

This portion of the project will expand CVWD’s delivery capacity to serve nonpotable recycled water to more customers throughout the valley, thereby maximizing the use of recycled water and reducing groundwater pumping for outdoor irrigation. It also addresses long-term water management goals by increasing the supply of recycled water to supplement local water supplies and safeguarding the local groundwater basin for future generations. Visit cvwd.org/NPWConnectionProjects to learn more.

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Coachella Valley Water District is a public agency governed by a five-member board of directors. The district serves the community with domestic water, agricultural irrigation and drainage, wastewater collection and treatment, non-potable and recycled water, regional stormwater protection, groundwater management, and water conservation programs. It serves approximately 114,000 residential and business customers across 1,000 square miles, primarily in Riverside County and portions of Imperial and San Diego counties. 

Media Contact: Lorraine Garcia, PIOEmail: Lorraine.Garcia@cvwd.orgOffice: (760) 398-2661, ext. 2549Cell: (760) 695-4007

Coachella Valley Water District’s contractor (T.E. Roberts) is continuing work on Cook Street to install a nonpotable water pipeline. Changes have been made to traffic control as the work approaches Green Way.

Construction Timeline: June 9, 2025, through September 15, 2025

Work hours: Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Traffic Impact Schedule:

Phase II (August 15, 2025 – August 31, 2025) UPDATED

• Access to St James Place has been closed due to the Contractor preparing to cross the intersection and is currently estimated to be reopened when construction is complete on September 15, 2025.
• South and northbound traffic has been reduced to one lane on Cook Street from north of Sheryl Avenue to Hovley Lane for approximately half a mile.
• Access to Sheryl Avenue and Merle Drive is available from both southbound and northbound lanes.
• Access to Boardwalk will require a detour through Beacon Hill from Hovley Lane or through Greenway to Mayfair Drive.
• Eastbound lanes on Green Way will be closed during construction hours between 6 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and will be open during non-work hours from August 21 through August 29.

Phase III (August 31, 2025 - September 15, 2025)

• Northbound lanes will be closed on Cook Street. All traffic will be rerouted through Hovley Lane to Portola Avenue.

Please plan and use alternative routes if possible and expect delays around the affected areas. Detours are posted throughout Cook Street.

Posted schedules may change due to inclement weather or field conditions.

This portion of the project will expand CVWD’s delivery capacity to serve nonpotable recycled water to more customers throughout the valley, thereby maximizing the use of recycled water and reducing groundwater pumping for outdoor irrigation. It also addresses long-term water management goals by increasing the supply of recycled water to supplement local water supplies and safeguarding the local groundwater basin for future generations. Visit cvwd.org/NPWConnectionProjects to learn more.

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Coachella Valley Water District is a public agency governed by a five-member board of directors. The district serves the community with domestic water, agricultural irrigation and drainage, wastewater collection and treatment, non-potable and recycled water, regional stormwater protection, groundwater management, and water conservation programs. It serves approximately 114,000 residential and business customers across 1,000 square miles, primarily in Riverside County and portions of Imperial and San Diego counties. 

Media Contact: Lorraine Garcia, PIOEmail: Lorraine.Garcia@cvwd.orgOffice: (760) 398-2661, ext. 2549Cell: (760) 695-4007

CVWD’s contractor, T.E. Roberts Inc., has extended the work timeline on Cook Street to continue through mid-September to install a nonpotable water pipeline due to construction delays to minimize traffic disruptions.   

Timeline Update: June 9, 2025, through September 15, 2025

Work hours: Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Traffic Impact Schedule:

Phase I (July 1, 2025 – August 15, 2025)

•  South and northbound lanes will be reduced to one lane on Cook Street from south of Sheryl Avenue to Hovley Lane for approximately 0.75 miles.
• Access to Sheryl Avenue, Merle Drive, and Green Way will be limited as construction approaches each intersection.
• St James Place will be closed for the duration of Phase I. Access is available through Boardwalk.

Phase II (August 15, 2025 – August 31, 2025)

• Lane closures are planned for north and southbound lanes for approximately 0.3 miles starting on Hovley Lane.
• All left turn lanes onto and off Cook Street (NB, SB, EB, and WB) will be closed at the intersection of Hovley Lane and Cook Street.
• Thru traffic for east and westbound lanes will be closed at the intersection of Hovley Lane and Cook Street.

Phase III (August 31, 2025 - September 15, 2025)

• Northbound lanes will be closed on Cook Street. All traffic will be rerouted through Hovley Lane through Portola Avenue.

Please plan and use alternative routes if possible and expect delays around the affected areas. Detours are posted throughout Cook Street.

Posted schedules may change due to inclement weather or field conditions.

This portion of the project will expand CVWD’s delivery capacity to serve nonpotable recycled water to more customers throughout the valley, thereby maximizing the use of recycled water and reducing groundwater pumping for outdoor irrigation. It also addresses long-term water management goals by increasing the supply of recycled water to supplement local water supplies and safeguarding the local groundwater basin for future generations. Visit cvwd.org/NPWConnectionProjects to learn more.

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Coachella Valley Water District is a public agency governed by a five-member board of directors. The district serves the community with domestic water, agricultural irrigation and drainage, wastewater collection and treatment, non-potable and recycled water, regional stormwater protection, groundwater management, and water conservation programs. It serves approximately 114,000 residential and business customers across 1,000 square miles, primarily in Riverside County and portions of Imperial and San Diego counties. 

Media Contact: Lorraine Garcia, PIOEmail: Lorraine.Garcia@cvwd.orgOffice: (760) 398-2661, ext. 2549Cell: (760) 695-4007  

Construction crews with CVWD’s contractor T.E. Roberts Inc. will continue to work on installing a non-potable water pipeline at Cook Street through the end of August.  

During construction hours, both the southbound and northbound lanes on Cook Street will be reduced to one lane.

• Work between Sheryl and Hovley Lane East will have the northbound and southbound lanes reduced to one lane.
• Once the work south of Hovley Lane is completed, crews will shift to the southbound lanes from Hovley Lane East to Riviera Drive near the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort. Lanes will be reduced to one lane.
• Cross streets will be closed with traffic redirected as construction moves through each intersection on Cook Street.

Construction hours are 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. See map.  

Road closures will be marked and are expected to remain in place through August 2025. Drivers are encouraged to avoid the area if possible. 

This portion of the project will expand CVWD’s delivery capacity to serve non-potable recycled water to more customers throughout the valley, thereby maximizing the use of recycled water and reducing groundwater pumping for outdoor irrigation. It also addresses long-term water management goals by increasing the supply of recycled water to supplement local water supplies, safeguarding the local groundwater basin for future generations. Visit cvwd.org/NPWConnectionProjects to learn more.

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Coachella Valley Water District is a public agency governed by a five-member board of directors. The district serves the community with domestic water, agricultural irrigation and drainage, wastewater collection and treatment, non-potable and recycled water, regional stormwater protection, groundwater management, and water conservation programs. It serves approximately 114,000 residential and business customers across 1,000 square miles, primarily in Riverside County and portions of Imperial and San Diego counties. 

Media Contact: Lorraine Garcia, PIOEmail: Lorraine.Garcia@cvwd.orgOffice: (760) 398-2661, ext. 2549Cell: (760) 695-4007  

The Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) has released its 2024–25 Annual Review and Consumer Confidence Report, commonly referred to as the Water Quality Report. The report confirms CVWD’s drinking water meets all current state and federal water quality standards. 

CVWD analyzed more than 17,000 water samples last year to monitor the quality of drinking water delivered to its customers. Every year, CVWD is required to analyze a select number of these samples for more than 100 regulated and unregulated substances. 

Customers interested in learning more about a particular substance or how to read the Water Quality Report can contact the Water Quality division at 760-398-2651 or waterquality@cvwd.org.

This year’s Annual Review includes the Water Quality Report, information on CVWD services, and updates on major projects and milestones. 

CVWD customers received information about obtaining a paper copy of the Annual Review via email, bill inserts, and direct mail. 

The Water Quality Report is available in English and Spanish on the CVWD website. 

Click here to access the digital report in English. 

Click here to access the digital report in Spanish.  

Customers can request a printed copy of the 2024-25 Annual Review by calling (760) 391-9600 or by emailing CustomerService@cvwd.org or you can view it online at cvwd.org/annualreview2025. 

Customers can also pick up a printed copy at CVWD’s offices:75515 and 75525 Hovley Lane East, Palm Desert or at 51501 Tyler Street, Coachella. 

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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 stormwater protection, groundwater management, and water conservation. It serves approximately 113,000 residential and business customers across 1,000 square miles, primarily in Riverside County and portions of Imperial and San Diego counties. 

Media Contact: Lorraine GarciaCommunication Manager/PIOEmail: Lorraine.Garcia@cvwd.orgOffice: (760) 398-2661, ext. 2549Cell: (760) 695-4007  

CVWD celebrates the completion of the Avenue 66 Transmission Main Project, also known as the Saint Anthony Mobile Home Park Water Consolidation project, which will now provide the critical backbone infrastructure to immediately connect three mobile home parks to CVWD’s domestic water system and up to 35 future connections.

The Project included the installation of approximately 26,723 linear feet of 30-inch-diameter water transmission main pipe along Avenue 66 and approximately 4,463 linear feet of 12-inch-diameter water transmission main along Lincoln Street, in the unincorporated area of Riverside County.

The three mobile home parks being connected are Saint Anthony, Seferino Huerta, and Manuela Garcia. The Avenue 66 Transmission Main also provides water supply reliability to CVWD’s domestic water system serving the communities of Mecca, North Shore, and Bombay Beach.

Many Eastern Coachella Valley community members receive water from failing or at-risk private water systems and unreliable sanitation systems. When systems fail or the power goes out, families can go without water for days.

“This project will change the region for generations to come,” said Cástulo Estrada, CVWD Board Vice President and a founding member of the Disadvantaged Communities Infrastructure Task Force. “Access to safe, affordable water and sewer services brings additional benefits, including new housing opportunities and economic growth. I’m grateful to the District Board, staff, and our state partners for their collaboration and support in making these impactful projects possible.”

This Project is part of a multi-year effort by CVWD’s Disadvantaged Communities Infrastructure Task Force to secure funding for projects to consolidate and connect thousands of Eastern Coachella Valley residents to CVWD’s domestic water system.

“Communities in the Eastern Coachella Valley have for too long experienced stark inequities, especially in access to water and sanitation. The work of CVWD and its Disadvantaged Communities Infrastructure Task Force on the Avenue 66 project is a model of how to build the partnership necessary to bring safe drinking water to the 2% of Californians who still don’t have it,” said Board Chair E. Joaquin Esquivel. “I am proud of the collective leadership our partners have shown on the many state-funded drinking water projects like this one that are now coming to completion across the state.”

Project funding includes a $23.4 million grant from the State Water Resources Control Board, a $7 million grant from the Department of Water Resources, appropriated through the Budget Act of 2021, supported by former Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia, $1.2 million from Proposition 1 Round 1 Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) implementation grant, and $165,665 from the Disadvantaged Community Involvement grant.

Projects like this highlight DWR’s commitment to the human right to water by helping ensure these communities have access to clean, affordable water,” said Arthur Hinojosa, Division Manager of the Division of Regional Assistance at DWR. “The work CVWD and our partners have done is a prime example of the benefits of building strong partnerships in support of integrated regional water management. We’re proud of the completion of this very important project and will continue to support communities across the Golden State with such efforts.”

To learn more about CVWD's state and federal partners and other projects, visit: cvwd.org/DACtaskforce.

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Coachella Valley Water District is a public agency governed by a five-member board of directors. The district serves the community with domestic water, agricultural irrigation and drainage, wastewater collection and treatment, nonpotable and recycled water, regional stormwater protection, groundwater management, and water conservation. It serves approximately 114,000 residential and business customers across 1,000 square miles, primarily in Riverside County, as well as portions of Imperial and San Diego counties. 

Media Contact: Lorraine Garcia Communication Manager/PIOEmail: Lorraine.Garcia@cvwd.org Office: (760) 398-2661, ext. 2549Cell: (760) 695-4007 

The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) and Desert Water Agency (DWA) have reached an agreement to settle two long-standing water rights lawsuits that enhances certainty and stability over the future of water management and increases supply reliability for Coachella Valley residents. 

“The agreement affirms the Tribe’s right to manage, regulate, and govern the use of the Tribal Water Right in the Coachella Valley, and at the same time will provide a real benefit to the entire Coachella Valley,” says Tribal Chairman Reid D. Milanovich. “We all rolled up our sleeves and worked together to come to an agreement that recognizes the Tribe’s water rights and sovereignty, considers the unique jurisdictional issues of our checkerboard reservation, and respects our traditional and cultural uses for our tribal community. It also ensures that Coachella Valley residents from now and into the distant future can be assured that the water management of this basin is done jointly with a continued focus on water sustainability and reliability for all. The Tribe appreciates and recognizes the long-standing relationship with, and continued support of, Riverside County’s Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, and looks forward to collaborating on the implementation of the water settlement.” 

“Desert Water Agency customers can be certain this agreement will not affect our ability to provide safe and reliable water. They will continue to receive dedicated customer service and high-quality water. This settlement respects the Tribe’s sovereign rights to help manage and regulate water within a portion of our vast aquifer. Together, we will ensure the reliability and sustainability of our region’s water supply,” says Paul Ortega, Desert Water Agency Board President. “The settlement with the Tribe will benefit the Coachella Valley for years to come as it brings essential collaboration on local water resources and recognizes Tribal Water Rights,” says John Powell Jr, Coachella Valley Water District Board President. 

“For over a century, CVWD has proudly served our community with vital water services, guided by responsible groundwater management and a diversified water portfolio that supports our local economy. We are committed to continuing to serve our customers and future generations, ensuring our region thrives for decades ahead.” The Tribe and water districts will next jointly seek legislation from Congress to approve the settlement and authorize up to $500 million in federal funding for water projects that would improve the sustainability of the Indio Subbasin. The funds would support a range of efforts, including improving water infrastructure and supplies, supporting groundwater replenishment, and advancing water management within the Indio Subbasin and under the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation. 

For more information: https://www.aguacaliente.org/watersettlement 

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Contacts: 

Kate Anderson Director of Public Relations Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians 760-574-9018 kanderson@aguacaliente-nsn.gov 

Lorraine Garcia Communication Manager/Public Information Officer Coachella Valley Water District 760-695-4007 Lorraine.Garcia@cvwd.org

Victoria Llort Director of Public Affairs & Conservation | Public Information Officer Desert Water Agency 760-323-4971, ext 273 VLlort@dwa.org

Construction crews with CVWD contractor, T.E. Roberts Inc., will continue to work on installing a nonpotable water pipeline at the Portola Avenue and Frank Sinatra Drive intersection on Monday, March 24, 2025.  

This phase of construction will last until March 31, 2025.  

Starting on April 1, 2025, construction will shift onto Portola Avenue. During construction hours, Portola Avenue will be reduced to one southbound lane between Frank Sinatra Drive and Desert Willow Court.  

Construction hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. See map.  

Closures will be marked and are expected to remain in place through May 2025. Drivers are encouraged to avoid the area if possible. 

The project will expand the non-potable water (NPW) pipeline system to maximize the use of recycled water instead of pumping groundwater for irrigation. This effort safeguards the Coachella Valley groundwater basin for future generations. It also addresses long-term water management goals by increasing the supply of recycled water, implementing source substitution, and improving water efficiency across all customer sectors. 

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Coachella Valley Water District is a public agency governed by a five-member board of directors. The district serves the community with domestic water, agricultural irrigation and drainage, wastewater collection and treatment, non-potable and recycled water, regional stormwater protection, groundwater management, and water conservation programs. It serves approximately 114,000 residential and business customers across 1,000 square miles, primarily in Riverside County and portions of Imperial and San Diego counties. 

Media Contact: Lorraine GarciaLorraine.Garcia@cvwd.org (760) 398-2661, ext. 2549, or (760) 695-4007 

The Coachella Valley Water District has secured a $39 million federal grant to expand the Thermal Wastewater Treatment Plant.  

The funds will support Phase 1 of a multi-year project that will allow the plant to provide a blend of recycled and canal water for crop irrigation and various landscapes in the eastern Coachella Valley. This will be the first CVWD treatment plant to offer this type of blended water supply to irrigation customers. 

The grant, from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, is crucial to the District’s commitment to the long-term preservation of the Lower Colorado River Basin as a reliable water resource for the community. The initial phase of this project will conserve 33,600 acre-feet of Colorado River water over 30 years, contributing to the stability of Lake Mead. 

This project highlights CVWD’s commitment to sustainable water management while delivering high-quality water to its customers. A key component of this commitment, outlined in the sustainability goals of the 2022 Revised Indio Sub-basin Water Management Plan, is the ongoing development of recycled water as a dependable supply. 

The expansion of the Thermal Wastewater Treatment Plant includes two future phases. Once completed, the facility will have the capacity to utilize its entire recycled water supply of 10 million gallons daily. 

This grant is part of a broader $284.8 million investment by the Bureau of Reclamation in long-term conservation projects across four Colorado River Basin water districts. Funded through the Inflation Reduction Act, these projects will collectively conserve more than 492,000 acre-feet of water and help stabilize Lake Mead. 

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Coachella Valley Water District is a public agency governed by a five-member board of directors. The district serves the community with domestic water, agricultural irrigation and drainage, wastewater collection and treatment, nonpotable and recycled water, regional stormwater protection, groundwater management, and water conservation. It serves approximately 114,000 residential and business customers across 1,000 square miles, primarily in Riverside County and portions of Imperial and San Diego counties. 

Media Contact: Lorraine Garcia 

Lorraine.Garcia@cvwd.org 

(760) 398-2661, ext. 2549, or (760) 695-4007  

CVWD’s contractor, T.E. Roberts Inc., is installing a nonpotable water pipeline installation on Frank Sinatra Drive. 

Westbound lanes on Frank Sinatra Drive between Monterey Ave and Portola Avenue will be closed during construction hours. It was previously reported that eastbound lanes would be closed. 

Construction hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. See map.

Closures will be marked and are expected to last until February 17, 2025.

The project will expand the non-potable water (NPW) pipeline system to maximize the use of recycled water instead of pumping groundwater for irrigation. This effort safeguards the Coachella Valley groundwater basin for future generations. It also addresses long-term water management goals by increasing the supply of recycled water, implementing source substitution, and improving water efficiency across all customer sectors.

Drivers are encouraged to avoid the area if possible.

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Coachella Valley Water District is a public agency governed by a five-member board of directors. The district serves the community with domestic water, agricultural irrigation and drainage, wastewater collection and treatment, non-potable and recycled water, regional stormwater protection, groundwater management, and water conservation. It serves approximately 114,000 residential and business customers across 1,000 square miles, primarily in Riverside County and portions of Imperial and San Diego counties.

Media Contact: Lorraine GarciaLorraine.Garcia@cvwd.org(760) 398-2661, ext. 2549, or (760) 695-4007

Event flyer (PDF)

Coachella Valley Water District invites customers and area residents to visit its expanded demonstration garden, which includes a variety of desert-friendly plants and water-efficiency techniques to inspire the community to build sustainable and pollinator-friendly gardens.

What: The free event will feature activities for kids, food, refreshments, free giveaways, raffle prizes, water efficiency experts, gardening specialists, and local community partners.

When: Saturday, November 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  

Where: CVWD Operations Office at 75525 Hovley Lane East, Palm Desert  

Who: Participating community partners and vendors include

The Living Desert

Desert Compost

The City of Palm Desert

Friends of the Desert Mountains

Rainbird Watering Systems

Hunter Industries - Irrigation Systems

Imperial Sprinkler

Friends of CV Link

GDNC Nursery

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Coachella Valley Water District is a public agency governed by a five-member board of directors. The district serves the community with domestic water, agricultural irrigation, and drainage, wastewater collection and treatment, nonpotable and recycled water, regional stormwater protection, groundwater management, and water conservation. It serves approximately 114,000 residential and business customers across 1,000 square miles, primarily in Riverside County and portions of Imperial and San Diego counties. 

Media Contact: Lorraine GarciaLorraine.Garcia@cvwd.org(760) 398-2661, ext. 2549, or (760) 695-4007

Starting November 25, 2024, CVWD and its Contractor, WEKA Inc., will complete a nonpotable pipeline installation at the intersection of Fred Waring Dr. and Warner Trail in Indian Wells. CVWD expects to complete construction by January 3, 2025.

Construction hours are 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Warner Trail's southbound lanes will be closed south of Fred Waring Drive in Indian Wells. See map.

The portion of the project will allow the expansion of the NPW Pipeline system to maximize the use of recycled water instead of pumping groundwater for irrigation on the Tennis Gardens outdoor landscaping. Using nonpotable water safeguards the Coachella Valley groundwater basin for future generations. In addition, it addresses long-term water management goals to maintain water reliability by increasing the supply of recycled water, source substitution, and water efficiency across all customer sectors.

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Coachella Valley Water District is a public agency governed by a five-member board of directors. The district serves the community with domestic water, agricultural irrigation and drainage, wastewater collection and treatment, nonpotable and recycled water, regional stormwater protection, groundwater management, and water conservation. It serves approximately 114,000 residential and business customers across 1,000 square miles, primarily in Riverside County and portions of Imperial and San Diego counties.

Media Contact: Lorraine GarciaLorraine.Garcia@cvwd.org(760) 398-2661, ext. 2549, or (760) 695-4007

Karla Romero's election as president-elect of the statewide California Society of Municipal Finance Officers (CSMFO) marks a historic moment as the position has not been held in the Coachella Valley in over 45 years.

Romero will serve as president-elect in 2025, president in 2026, and past president in 2027, completing a three-year leadership term. Romero brings 17 years of dedicated service in government finance to CSMFO.

Before joining the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) as a controller in 2023—and later rising to finance director at the start of 2024—she served as finance director and city treasurer for the City of Brawley and City of La Quinta. Romero began her government finance journey as a temporary employee at the City of Indio, ultimately progressing to senior accountant. She holds a Bachelor of Science in International Business and a Master of Business Administration. Her education, experience, and involvement with CSMFO have been instrumental in her journey to leadership.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Romero's heart for service shines through her 16 years as a dedicated volunteer at CSMFO. Her commitment to paying it forward has been a driving force in her career. As president-elect, Romero aims to create more opportunities for leadership and volunteering, celebrate the diversity within CSMFO, and foster a culture of innovation and continuous learning for all members.

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Coachella Valley Water District is a public agency governed by a five-member board of directors. The district serves the community with domestic water, agricultural irrigation, and drainage, wastewater collection and treatment, nonpotable and recycled water, regional stormwater protection, groundwater management, and water conservation. It serves approximately 114,000 residential and business customers across 1,000 square miles, primarily in Riverside County and portions of Imperial and San Diego counties.

Media Contact: Lorraine GarciaLorraine.Garcia@cvwd.org(760) 398-2661, ext. 2549, or (760) 695-4007

CVWD’s nonpotable pipeline contractor, Weka Inc., has transitioned to night work and is expected to last two to three weeks.

Construction hours are 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Closures are marked, and two southbound lanes are closed during work hours on Monterey Ave. between Frank Sinatra Dr. and Country Club Dr. in Palm Desert. See detour map.

One lane remains closed during the daytime. Drivers are encouraged to avoid the area if possible.

The project will allow the expansion of the NPW Pipeline system to maximize the use of recycled water instead of pumping groundwater for irrigation. This safeguards the Coachella Valley groundwater basin for future generations. In addition, it addresses long-term water management goals to maintain water reliability by increasing the supply of recycled water, source substitution, and water efficiency across all customer sectors.

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Coachella Valley Water District is a public agency governed by a five-member board of directors. The district serves the community with domestic water, agricultural irrigation and drainage, wastewater collection and treatment, nonpotable and recycled water, regional stormwater protection, groundwater management, and water conservation. It serves approximately 114,000 residential and business customers across 1,000 square miles, primarily in Riverside County and portions of Imperial and San Diego counties.

Media Contact: Lorraine GarciaLorraine.Garcia@cvwd.org(760) 398-2661, ext. 2549, or (760) 695-4007

Renovation project will positively impact multiple Southern California water agencies

October 21, 2024 – A newly completed canal renovation project will support water conservation, provide new water storage, and save ratepayers millions of dollars thanks to a partnership between the Coachella Valley Water District, the San Diego County Water Authority and the San Luis Rey River Indian Water Authority.

The Coachella Mid-Canal Storage Project, completed this summer, made critical upgrades to the 123-mile Coachella Canal, which provides Colorado River water to the Coachella Valley and – under landmark water conservation agreements – the San Diego region.

The $7.5 million project was funded jointly by the three water agencies through a low-interest loan from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which was part of the Biden Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocations to relieve drought in the West.

“There is a strong spirit of collaboration within the region for efforts to save water and reduce expenses,” said Jim Barrett, CVWD general manager. “The Mid-Canal Storage Project significantly reduces maintenance costs for all parties, and the additional storage created by this project helps increase CVWD’s canal operational flexibility and optimizes water deliveries.”

Construction included removing concrete lining in a 4.9-mile section of the canal where high clay content in the soil and water pressure in the canal caused extensive cracks that allowed water to seep through. Those cracks increased annual repair costs and undermined the original intent of lining the canal to conserve Colorado River water.

The project will reduce future costs related to repairing the cracked concrete, work funded by the County Water Authority and the Indian Water Authority. For the County Water Authority, the project will save more than $10 million in long-term repair costs; the Indian Water Authority will save more than $2 million.

In addition, the project created a 728 acre-foot in-line storage facility for the Coachella Valley that will improve the flow of water and provide the water district greater flexibility in managing deliveries.

The Coachella Canal was built between 1938 and 1948 to deliver Colorado River water to serve the Coachella Valley’s agriculture customers and reduce demand on the local groundwater basin.

As part of the 2003 Quantification Settlement Agreement, the County Water Authority and the Indian Water Authority are allocated Colorado River water through the San Diego region’s investment in concrete lining sections of the Coachella Canal and the All-American Canal.

“Our region’s investment in conserved Colorado River water has served us well, and these canal lining projects provide our lowest cost water,” said County Water Authority General Manager Dan Denham. “In an era of tight budgets, this repair project highlights how we work collaboratively with partners to improve both reliability and affordability through strategic cost-saving measures.”

San Luis Rey River Indian Water Authority President Bo Mazzetti added of the project, “We are proud to work with our partners towards cost-saving measures.”

The Coachella Canal Lining Project, completed in 2008, lined a 36-mile section of the canal. The All-American Canal Lining Project, completed in 2010, lined a 23-mile section of that canal, which extends 83 miles from the Colorado River into the Imperial Valley.

Lining sections of both canals conserves 93,700 acre-feet of water annually. Each year, the San Diego region receives 77,700 acre-feet of that conserved water. The Indian Water Authority, with its settlement partners under the San Luis Rey Indian Water Rights Settlement, receives 16,000 acre-feet annually. Delivered to the San Diego region through the Colorado River Aqueduct, the canal lining supplies will continue through 2112 when the allocation agreement ends.

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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 stormwater protection, groundwater management, and water conservation. It serves approximately 115,000 residential and business customers across 1,000 square miles, primarily in Riverside County and portions of Imperial and San Diego counties.

The San Luis Rey River Indian Water Authority is a federally charted government agency created by the La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians, Pala Band of Mission Indians, Pauma Band of Luiseño Indians, Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians and San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians to oversee and protect Indian Reserved Water Rights. Established in 1988, the Indian Water Authority's mission is to ensure that the Indian Bands have a say in the San Luis Rey River Basin's water use and supply.

The San Diego County Water Authority sustains a $268 billion regional economy and the quality of life for more than 3 million residents through a multi-decade water supply diversification plan, major infrastructure investments and forward-thinking policies that promote fiscal and environmental responsibility. A public agency created in 1944, the Water Authority delivers wholesale water supplies to 23 retail water providers, including cities, special districts, and a military base.

Coachella Valley Water District’s (CVWD) Board of Directors adopted a resolution at today’s board meeting supporting Proposition 4, an initiative that authorizes bonds for safe drinking water, wildfire prevention, and protecting communities and natural lands from climate risks. 

Following engagement from a range of environmental and other interest groups as well as the water community, the California Legislature passed SB 867, a $10 billion bond package focused on water resilience, wildfire prevention, sea level rise, nature-based solutions, clean air, outdoor recreation, agriculture and extreme heat mitigation. Water-related issues are allocated $3.8 billion, the largest individual category. 

The climate bond measure will appear on the November 2024 ballot as Proposition 4, the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024. 

CVWD’s board says the ever-changing water and climate issues require additional investments to support reliable infrastructure, clean water, and sustainable groundwater supplies. Projects funded through these bonds could benefit the entire region, including the Salton Sea and the Eastern Coachella Valley. The board would like funding prioritized to assist water providers in complying with the state’s increasingly stringent regulations, such as its new chromium-6 standard.  

Proposition 4 stipulates that at least 40% of total funds must be allocated to projects delivering meaningful and direct benefits to vulnerable populations or disadvantaged communities, with at least 10% specifically directed to severely underprivileged communities. 

The bond also allocates funding to the following projects:

• $610 million to address water quality to help provide clean, safe and reliable drinking water, including projects to address hexavalent chromium in drinking water.
• $386.25 million toward projects related to groundwater storage, groundwater recharge, and water reuse and recycling
• $170 million for the Salton Sea Management Program 10-year Plan, including any future revisions, to provide air quality, public health, and habitat benefits.
• $10 million will be available for either the establishment of a Salton Sea Conservancy or the Salton Sea Authority
• Funding for agricultural conservation and climate resiliency of farmlands.

Opponents of Proposition 4 argue that bonds take decades to pay off by future taxpayers, and some question the state’s budget deficit and whether it would worsen the situation. 

CVWD urges voters to research all the arguments in favor and against Proposition 4 before voting on this critical issue. Click here for more information.  

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 stormwater protection, groundwater management, and water conservation. It serves approximately 113,000 residential and business customers across 1,000 square miles, primarily in Riverside County and portions of Imperial and San Diego counties. For more information, please visit www.cvwd.org. 

Media Contact: Lorraine Garcia, Lorraine.Garcia@cvwd.org, (760) 398-2661, ext. 2549, or (760) 695-4007.

Coachella Valley Water District’s Assistant General Manager Robert Cheng’s accomplishments and service to the water profession have been recognized by the 2024 Abel Wolman Award of Excellence presented by the American Water Works Association (AWWA).

The award spotlights those whose careers in the water works industry exemplify vision, creativity, and excellent professional performance characteristic of civil engineer Abel Wolman (1892-1989). He was a world-renowned water treatment expert and pioneer of modern sanitary engineering.

A citation from AWWA’s Board of Directors says Cheng “has been a significant contributor to the Partnership for Safe Water and the Partnership for Clean Water from inception. His active service and leadership on the AWWA Standards Council and Water Utility Council, and with the Water Research Foundation, have demonstrated vision and beneficially impacted the drinking water and wastewater communities.”

The award was presented at the AWWA Annual Conference & Exposition in Anaheim on June 11. The largest organization of water supply professionals in the world, AWWA promotes effective water management.

Cheng has worked in the public water sector for more than three decades, including various technical and management positions at the Metropolitan District of Southern California and the Long Beach Water Department. He has been Assistant General Manager of CVWD since 2013.

Among his numerous posts, Cheng served as president of the State Water Contractors Board of Directors from May 2023 to May 2024.

A graduate of Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Engineering and Master of Science in Chemical Engineering, he holds a doctorate in Civil Engineering from UCLA.  He is a California Registered Professional Engineer, Registered Professional Operator, and has California drinking water T5 and D5 certifications.

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 stormwater protection, groundwater management, and water conservation. It serves approximately 113,000 residential and business customers across 1,000 square miles, primarily in Riverside County and portions of Imperial and San Diego counties.

Media Contact: Lorraine Garcia, Lorraine.Garcia@cvwd.org, (760) 398-2661, ext. 2549, or (760) 695-4007.

Coachella Valley’s updated water management plans for the Indio and Mission Creek subbasins continue to meet Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) requirements.On Thursday, June 27, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced that the updates to the two groundwater management plans, initially approved in 2019 as Alternatives to a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP), continue to meet the requirements of SGMA.Adopted by the state in 2014, SGMA requires governments and water agencies of designated high- and medium-priority basins to develop a GSP that defines sustainability goals for the basin. SGMA also allowed local agencies to submit existing water management plans for approval by the DWR if the local agencies believed that the Alternative satisfied the objectives of SGMA for the basin. Coachella Valley has two of nine approved Alternatives in California.Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD), Coachella Water Authority, Desert Water Agency (DWA), and Indio Water Authority collaborated on the Alternative for the Indio Subbasin. CVWD, DWA, and Mission Springs Water District collaborated on the Alternative for the Mission Creek Subbasin.DWR performs a review of each Alternative at least every five years, based on local agencies' evaluation of the Alternative and annual reports, emphasizing maintaining or achieving sustainability. Today marks the first time under SGMA that DWR has completed a periodic review of an Alternative to a GSP.The state’s approval identifies that the updated water management plans continue to comply with SGMA law, relying upon the best available science and information, and that implementing the plans is likely to achieve or maintain groundwater sustainability. Alternatives based on an existing water management plan must demonstrate that implementation is expected to maintain or achieve sustainability within 20 years.Annual reports for the Indio and Mission Creek Subbasin show that implementation of the water management plans have led to increased groundwater levels and sustainable basin management.DWR's SGMA Portal contains a copy of the water management plans and findings from the periodic review for the Indio Subbasin and the Mission Creek Subbasin.

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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 stormwater protection, groundwater management, and water conservation. It serves approximately 114,000 residential and business customers across 1,000 square miles, primarily in Riverside County and portions of Imperial and San Diego counties.Media Contact: Lorraine Garcia, Lorraine.Garcia@cvwd.org, (760) 398-2661, ext. 2549, or (760) 695-4007.

Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) has released its Annual Review and Water Quality Report, which shows that the drinking water provided to customers meets all current state and federal standards.

The 2023-24 Annual Review is available electronically on the CVWD website. Upon requests, CVWD will mail printed copies to customers.

CVWD alerted customers to the option of receiving a paper copy through USPS mail, email, and in bill inserts.

Customers can view this year’s Water Quality Report on the CVWD website here. It is available in Spanish here.

The Annual Review also includes articles about significant district projects in addition to the Water Quality Report. It is available in English here and in Spanish here.

To request a paper copy of the 2023-2024 Annual Review and Consumer Confidence Report, please call (760) 391-9600 or email CustomerService@cvwd.org.

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 stormwater protection, groundwater management, and water conservation. It serves approximately 113,000 residential and business customers across 1,000 square miles, primarily in Riverside County and portions of Imperial and San Diego counties.

Media Contact: Lorraine Garcia, Lorraine.Garcia@cvwd.org, (760) 398-2661, ext. 2549, or (760) 695-4007.

Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) recognized $100 million in grant funding from county, state, and federal sources at a community celebration April 5 in Mecca. The grants will bring clean, affordable water and reliable sewer services to underserved Eastern Coachella Valley communities. The event marked nearly 10 years of efforts by CVWD’s Disadvantaged Communities Infrastructure Task Force to secure funding for projects to consolidate and connect thousands of Eastern Coachella Valley residents to CVWD’s domestic water and sewer systems. “These projects will change the region for generations to come,” said Cástulo Estrada, CVWD Board Vice President and a founding member of the Disadvantaged Communities Infrastructure Task Force. “By allowing access to safe, affordable drinking water and sewer services, the region will also see secondary benefits, such as creating opportunities for housing developments and increased economic activity. I’m extremely grateful to the District Board and staff for creating and working on these projects that will impact so many residents. This would not have been possible without collaboration with and funding from our partners at all levels of government.” In addition to Estrada, more speakers addressed the collaboration and progress made by local, state, and federal partners to ensure disadvantaged communities have access to safe drinking water and dependable sewer service:   

• John Powell, Jr., President, CVWD Board 
• Cástulo Estrada, Vice President, CVWD Board 
• E. Joaquin Esquivel, Chair, State Water Resources Control Board 
• Eduardo Garcia, Assemblymember (CA-36) 
• Steven Hernandez, Chief of Staff for V. Manuel Perez, Riverside County Supervisor, 4th District 
• Raul Ruiz, M.D., Congressman (CA-25) 
• Tomás Torres, Water Division Director, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on behalf of Martha Guzman, Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator 
• Luis Andrade, Water and Environmental Program Director, US Department of Agriculture – Rural Development on behalf of Maria Gallegos Herrera, California State Director 
• Community members from Huerta Mobile Home Park and Toledo Mobile Home Park 

CVWD has utilized a number of these funding partnerships to complete a series of projects in the Eastern Coachella Valley. Two projects connected just under 200 homes and Westside Elementary School in Thermal to CVWD’s domestic water system. Another consolidated and connected unincorporated areas of Riverside County and improved reliability for 7,600 residents. Two other projects connected a housing area and two mobile home parks to CVWD’s wastewater collection and treatment system. Additional projects target other areas of the Eastern Coachella Valley. The Avenue 66 Transmission Main/St. Anthony Mobile Home Park Consolidation will construct the critical backbone to connect three systems immediately and make possible 35 future mobile home park consolidations. The Valley View Domestic Water Mobile Home Park Consolidation will connect 13 mobile home parks.Grant funding sources include: 

• American Rescue Plan Act  
• Congressionally Directed Spending through Community Project Funding Programs 
• State Budget Appropriation 
• State Water Resources Control Board 
• U.S. Department of Agriculture  
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

The April 5 event also included a performance by Ballet Folklorico Sangre Obrera de Desert Mirage High School. Speaker Quotes: “The drinking water consolidations and septic-to-sewer projects underway in the Eastern Coachella Valley illustrate how merging water and wastewater systems is the best strategy for bringing safe drinking water and reliable sanitation to California’s rural and disadvantaged communities,” said State Water Resources Control Board Chair E. Joaquin Esquivel. “We promote this strategy because, when it is broadened to a regional scale by water districts and supported by strong collaboration among funding partners, as in this case, California makes strides toward fulfilling the human right to water.” "Access to safe drinking water is a matter of public health urgency for our communities," said Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia. “With the support of collective regional advocacy, we authored SB 200, establishing the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund, which has helped us secure unprecedented investments to alleviate longstanding Eastern Coachella Valley water infrastructure disparities. This tremendous milestone reflects years of concerted regional efforts and a community-driven vision to deliver safe and reliable drinking water and sewer service to residents. We highly commend Coachella Valley Water District's leadership and engagement with the Disadvantaged Communities Infrastructure Task Force, now being utilized as a model to develop community-driven water solutions across California."  “This is a major milestone for solving one of our biggest challenges, which is access to clean drinking water and sewer services,” said Riverside County Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. “The lack of safe drinking water in many communities throughout the Eastern Coachella Valley has been a historical issue for a very long time. Families have struggled with this every single day. The funding that has been secured will go a long way to ensuring access to this basic human right and protecting the health and well-being of our residents. I have been proud to partner with the Coachella Valley Water District and of the significant funding we have been able to contribute, as well as helping put this roadmap for clean water together in our office with CVWD Director Cástulo Estrada, because this infrastructure is a priority. I commend the Coachella Valley Water District, its leadership, board members, and staff.” “Coachella Valley Water District is making a positive impact in the lives of residents and contributing to the overall well-being of the region,” said Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. “This investment enhances infrastructure and fosters greater social cohesion and economic development in the Coachella Valley. Such initiatives serve as shining examples of collaborative efforts involving grants from federal, state, and county partners to demonstrate the importance of multi-sectoral cooperation in addressing critical infrastructure challenges.” “EPA is a proud partner with local and state leaders working to improve drinking water and wastewater infrastructure for the communities of East Coachella Valley,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “We all want water that is safe to drink and infrastructure that is reliable. Thanks to the collective efforts that we celebrate today, we are making progress on our ongoing commitment to support health and quality of life in historically underserved communities.” “Access to clean drinking water and reliable wastewater systems is essential for the well-being and future prosperity of all communities,” said California State Director for USDA Rural Development Maria Gallegos Herrera. “We are proud to partner with the Coachella Valley Water District to expand these services into colonias, rural, and Tribal communities. Thanks to CVWD’s leadership and investments through our Water and Environmental Programs, people living in historically underserved communities across the Eastern Coachella Valley will now have equitable access to the infrastructure, economic opportunities, and housing they deserve.” ### 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 stormwater protection, groundwater management and water conservation. It serves approximately 113,000 residential and business customers across 1,000 square miles, located primarily in Riverside County and in portions of Imperial and San Diego counties. Media Contact: Victoria Llort, VLlort@cvwd.org, 398-2661, ext. 3564, or 442-400-2177  

Coachella Valley Water District will celebrate $100 million awarded for projects to bring clean drinking water and reliable sewer service to Eastern Coachella Valley communities. 

What: CVWD projects funded by grants from county, state, and federal partners will serve disadvantaged communities that have at-risk water systems, unreliable sanitation systems, and inadequate fire protection.  

When: Friday, April 5, 2024 – Program starts at 11 a.m.  

Media Check-in: 10:45 AM PST Media Interviews: 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM PST 

Where: Lawn next to Boys and Girls Club, 91-275 Avenue 66, Mecca, CA, 92254  

Who: 

• John Powell, Jr., President, CVWD Board  
• Cástulo Estrada, Vice President, CVWD Board  
• Joaquin Esquivel, Chair, State Water Resources Control Board
• Eduardo Garcia, Assemblymember (CA-36) 
• V. Manuel Perez, Riverside County Supervisor, 4th District 
• Raul Ruiz, M.D., Congressman (CA-25) 
• Tomás Torres, Water Division Director, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 
• Luis Andrade, Water and Environmental Program Director, US Department of Agriculture – Rural Development 

Entertainment: Ballet Folklorico Sangre Obrera de Desert Mirage High School 

Interview and photo opportunities: Speakers will be available at end of event. 

Media contact: Government and Regional Affairs Victoria Llort, vllort@cvwd.org, 760-398-2661, Ext. 3564, or 442-400-2177 

Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) welcomed the news that the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has taken a significant step forward to make the state's water system more resilient to climate change and natural disasters while protecting and enhancing the environment in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

DWR released the Final Environmental Impact Report (Final EIR) for the Delta Conveyance Project – a critical climate adaptation strategy to modernize existing State Water Project (SWP) infrastructure in the Delta. The proposed Bethany Alignment will help the State Water Project safely capture, move and store water amidst the rapid swings between wet and dry conditions that have become our new normal as the state’s climate changes. Following intense evaluation by scientists and engineers over several years, it is clear that this project is necessary to provide increased water security for the 27 million people and 750,000 acres of farmland depending on it.

“We applaud the release of the Delta Conveyance Project's Final EIR, which represents a significant milestone in modernizing our water infrastructure," said Robert Cheng, Coachella Valley Water District Assistant General Manager and State Water Contractors Board President. "Water delivered through the State Water Project has been instrumental to the state’s economic growth since the 1960s when the initial State Water contracts were signed, which helped propel California to fifth place in the global economy. However, dramatic swings in climate patterns have shown significant investments are needed to modernize the infrastructure to cope with the challenges of 21st-century water management.”

The Coachella Valley is keenly aware of the importance of capturing water when possible since it is located in an area that only receives about four inches of annual precipitation. CVWD supports the DCP Project but also recognizes the significant role that long-term conservation plays in our water management strategy. CVWD has invested $19.8 million in conservation programs since 2020. In addition, CVWD customers have converted 25 million square feet of grass into water-saving landscaping since 2009. 

CVWD relies on the State Water Project to provide the water needed for our region to support our communities and the local economy. CVWD uses water exchanged with our State Project Water to replenish the local groundwater basin for current and future customers. Investing in the DCP is essential to securing stable water supplies amidst uncertain weather patterns.

CVWD looks forward to the certification of the FEIR to help secure California's water future. 

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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 stormwater protection, groundwater management, and water conservation. It serves approximately 113,000 residential and business customers across 1,000 square miles, primarily in Riverside County and portions of Imperial and San Diego counties.

Media Contact: Lorraine Garcia, Lorraine.Garcia@cvwd.org, (760) 398-2661, ext. 2549, or (760) 695-4007.

Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD), along with representatives from the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 9, SAFER Advisory Group, and the Coachella Valley Unified School District gathered on Thursday, December 7 to celebrate the completion of more than 100 water system consolidations across the state that have benefitted 90,000 Californians. 

Consolidations secure safe drinking water for communities by connecting small, failing wells to established public infrastructure such as CVWD’s domestic water system. 

Thursday’s events included a bus tour of local drinking water projects in the Eastern Coachella Valley, beginning with a celebration at Westside Elementary, a site that has benefited from consolidation. The event concluded at Mission San Jose Community Center in Thermal, a site that has also benefited from upgrades to its potable water and drainage systems 

Before its consolidation into the CVWD system, the private onsite well at Westside Elementary School had no backup power or fire protection. The system was also at risk for contaminants in the water by naturally occurring elements in the groundwater. Consolidation projects like these are made possible through the SWRCB’s Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience (SAFER) drinking water program, which was established with the signing of SB200 in 2019 by Governor Newsom. Through SAFER, residents can receive reliable access to safe and affordable drinking water, especially those in disadvantaged communities. 

“We’ve been working for the past 10 years through the Disadvantage Communities Infrastructure Task Force to get the funding needed to bring clean drinking water to the Eastern Coachella Valley,” said Castulo Estrada, CVWD board vice president and SAFER Advisory Group member. “I’m proud that we have been able to secure funding through the SAFER program and other state and federal partners to make the human right to water a reality for these residents through consolidations and connections to our domestic water system.” 

According to SWRCB, the consolidation for Westside Elementary was fully funded with over $815,000 in grants from SAFER, of which $446,000 came from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, a federal-state assistance program for infrastructure projects.

During the community celebration at the Mission San Jose Community Center, attendees also toured the nearby Vargas Community to view the established Point-of-Entry and Point-of-Use systems – filtering systems that use water treatment devices to treat water entering a house or a building to reduce contaminants in the drinking water.

Additional consolidation projects are underway throughout the Eastern Coachella Valley, including two top priority projects that CVWD has launched. These projects will consolidate at least 16 small water systems by connecting them to CVWD's domestic water system. 

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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 stormwater protection, groundwater management, and water conservation. It serves approximately 113,000 residential and business customers across 1,000 square miles, primarily in Riverside County and portions of Imperial and San Diego counties.

 Media Contact: Lorraine Garcia, Lorraine.Garcia@cvwd.org, (760) 398-2661, ext. 2549, or (760) 695-4007.