Your September 2023 eConnect is here!

Bringing Tax Dollars Back to the Community

EMWD was selected by the U.S. Department of the Interior to provide a tour and briefing of its planned Purified Water Replenishment facilities to U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland (pictured above). The U.S. Department of the Interior has committed $10 million in funding to the project through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. EMWD has also previously received a $17.5 million commitment for the project through the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act. Learn more about the positive impact federal funding has on our local water supply at emwd.org/newsroom.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Preparing for Purified Water Replenishment

Groundwater is an important source of our region’s water supplies. Learn about the investments we are making to make it sustainable for the future.

Funding for Turf Removal Program Increases

Removing your grass and replacing it with climate appropriate landscape is now easier than ever with the help of EMWD’s highest per square foot rebate.

Ask EMWD: Payment Assistance Options

EMWD is committed to working in partnership with customers. Learn about our Payment Assistance programs in our Ask EMWD section.

EMWD’s Advanced Water Purification Facility is the Next Step toward Water Reliability

Photo of groundwater replenishment ponds

Since its inception, EMWD has used forward-thinking methods to provide a safe and reliable water supply to all of its customers. To address the communities water needs, EMWD has developed and implemented projects and management practices that make the most of its water supply from imported, local, and recycled water resources.

Purified Water Replenishment is the next phase of EMWD’s Groundwater Reliability Plus initiative, which has improved the quality and quantity of water in our local groundwater basins.

In 2024, EMWD anticipates beginning construction on its Advanced Water Purification Facility, which will be located adjacent to our San Jacinto Valley Regional Water Reclamation Facility. The Advanced Water Purification Facility will use ultra filtration and reverse osmosis to purify recycled water.

The purified water will blend with additional treated water prior to being pumped into replenishment ponds, where it will be further purified through a natural purification process. Water pumped from the ground will go through one final cleaning step before it is sent to homes and businesses. Learn more at emwd.org/GWRPlus.

Investing in Our Infrastructure

Photo of Department of Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Congressman Mark Takano

Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, Congressman Mark Takano (CA-39th) (pictured) and staff from the Department of the Interior and the United States Bureau of Reclamation met with EMWD officials and regional dignitaries such as leadership from the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians in early-August for a briefing of EMWD’s Purified Water Replenishment program and a tour of the future Advanced Water Purification Facility.

EMWD routinely meets with its legislative officials, but Department of the Interior Secretary Haaland’s visit marked the highest-ranking administration official to tour an EMWD facility in the organization’s 73-year history.

Photo of Department of Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and EMWD General Manager Joe Mouawad

Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland speaks with General Manager Joe Mouawad

EMWD is honored to share our successes with Secretary Haaland and we look forward to a continued partnership with the Department of the Interior and the United Stated Burearu of Reclamation that benefits our water supplies and our customers. These programs are critical to enable water providers throughout the west adapt to a changing climate and to meet the needs of a growing population and to protect water supplies and quality for future generations.

Keep up with EMWD and our intergovernmental partnerships by following us on social media @easternmuni or by visiting emwd.org/newsroom.

Did you know?

Photo of the U.S. Capitol Building in the evening illuminated by a warm gold, pink, and purple sunset

Check out these facts and more at emwd.org/AnnualReport

Icon of a capitol dome with a bag of tax money falling out

External Funding

EMWD is among the nation’s most successful agencies in securing external funding and in 2022, EMWD received more than $115 million in grants and low-interest loans from state and federal funding agencies to help offset costs that would otherwise be shouldered by its customers.

Government Building Icon with acronym LIHWAP (Low Income Household Water Assistance Program)

#1 in Riverside County for Customers Securing Funding

The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is a temporary emergency program to help low-income families with assistance with their water and sewer bills—up to $15,000. In 2022, EMWD received $748,709 in payments, which is the highest amount of any agency in Riverside County.

An excavator icon with the number 43% to represent EMWD's service area being 43% built out.

A Growing Region

EMWD’s communities are some of the fastest growing in California and its service area is only 43% built out. EMWD completed investments in water, wastewater, and recycled water totaling $159,997,000 million dollars in 2022, with the flagship project being the Perris II Desalination Facility.

How to Set-Up Your Customized Notifications

Savvy the Water Drop cartoon character smiling and waving at the reader

Hi! I’m Savvy The Water Drop. I’m Here to Help You Navigate Your MyAccount Portal.

Customizable notification services are available in the Account Notifications and Payment Notifications tabs of your My Profile.

Toggle your letter, email, text, and voice call alerts to fit your communication style.

Notifications can be sent to you based on various activities.

You can update your preferences any time! Get started at myaccount.emwd.org.

Dig Up Your Grass and Dig into Savings

EMWD and The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California are now contributing $2 each, for a total of $4 per square foot, for the SoCal Water$mart Turf Removal Program. EMWD customers are eligible for rebate funding if they remove grass and replace it with climate appropriate landscaping and a qualifying ground cover such as rock, mulch, or decomposed granite. Customers are encouraged to apply for funding and receive approval prior to beginning work at their property. Get started on your rebate application by visiting emwd.org/socal-watersmart.