The McLaughlin house in San Jacinto was a recent finalist for the Inland Empire Landscape Contest
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
WHERE IT
COMES FROM
Check out our infographic
showing where your water supplies come from!
TIPS TO SAVE WATER OUTDOORS
EMWD is your resource to help you make small changes that can net big outdoor water savings
ASK
EMWD
This month's question
inquires about development during cyclical drought conditions
EMWD's new Perris II Desalter is one of the many water supply projects that provide reliability for our customers.
WHERE DOES YOUR WATER COME FROM?
EMWD is proud to have invested in diverse water supply portfolio, which has helped us provide additional water supply reliability during California's ongoing drought.

EMWD receives its water from a variety of water sources, including the State Water Project and Colorado River Aqueduct systems through its partnership with The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Due to California's ongoing drought, only water from the Colorado River system is being imported into our region right now -- and that is at risk because of declining reservoir levels at Lake Mead and Lake Powell.

EMWD also has local groundwater supplies, as well as three groundwater desalination facilities. In fact, our third desalter opened this summer, which is helping to increase our local water supply sources.

EMWD is also a national leader in recycled water. More than one-third of the water we provide is recycled water, which goes toward agriculture, schools, parks, and other public landscaping.

Even though we have prepared for droughts, it is important for you to do your part and stay water wise. Be sure to visit www.emwd.org/drought for the latest on the statewide drought.
SMALL STEPS CAN MEAN BIG WATER SAVINGS
Water wise landscaping saves water, is beautiful, and survives in California’s cyclical drought environment.
Reducing irrigation by 2 minutes for every 10 minutes, converting to drip, and adding a smart controller are just a few of the simple, do-it-yourself, and low cost solutions neighbors in your community have come-up with to make their landscapes even more water efficient than before.

Visit emwd.org/waterwise-landscape-toolbox to learn how to save water outdoors and consider doing one of the water efficient landscape updates in your yard. By doing so, we can all fulfill our responsibility in helping California through this unprecedented drought.

We want to hear from you! Tell us how you are staying water wise with your outdoor water use efficiency at emwd.org/how-we-save-water.
QUESTION:

Why are new homes being built when California is experiencing such a serious drought?

ANSWER:

EMWD is not a land use agency. Our responsibility is to supply water to developments approved per County and City general plans. In recent years, regulations were expanded to require new construction to have more efficient plumbing and landscaping. EMWD makes sure these standards are met by allocating water budgets that are up to 30 percent lower than older homes and businesses.
New developments also pay a Financial Participation Charge (FPC) to fund development of new water supply sources to meet their own needs. Infrastructure expansion projects such as our new Perris II Desalination complex are funded in-part by FPC’s.

By creating new local water supply sources, new development is not “taking” from existing homes and businesses but helping to expand our local supplies and reduce our reliance on imported water.