RIVERSIDE, CA – Western Municipal Water District (Western) was recently awarded more than $2 million for two projects from the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), Urban Multibenefit Drought Relief Grant Program (Program).
“At Western, we value fiscal responsibility and service excellence, and this means proactively looking for ways to supplement project funding to reduce rate impacts on our customers,” said Western General Manager Craig Miller. “Our grants program demonstrates Western’s commitment to this effort, and our projects represent cutting-edge technologies that will help us continue to provide safe, high quality, and reliable water now and into the future.”
With more than 147 projects submitted state-wide in the first phase of the program, Western’s success demonstrates the strength of the application and value of the submitted projects. Western will receive $1.7 million to help offset the costs to construct a polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) treatment system at its Western Water Recycling Facility. The project will allow recharge of nearly 1,000 acre-feet of recycled water per year to support the replenishment of the Arlington Groundwater Basin.
In addition, $327,000 was awarded for the construction of two water filling stations. These filling stations will make water available to rural communities that are currently not connected to Western's municipal service system and are solely using drought-prone private wells.
“Western is proud to receive funding from this highly competitive program to do our part to reduce the impacts of prolonged drought conditions,” added Miller. “We’ve asked our communities to step up and save more water during drought, and our customers need to know that Western is doing our part, too, by proactively investing in critical infrastructure and customer support programs to meet our region’s water supply needs.”
DWR awarded $53 million to 20 projects across the state. The Urban Multibenefit Drought Relief Grant Program was authorized in 2021 and allocated $200 million to assist communities facing water supply issues due to the drought, to help alleviate the impacts of the drought on human health and safety, and to protect fish and wildlife resources.
"Western’s efforts, combined with state support and customer actions to use less water, can help make sure our supplies last as long as possible to get us through this drought period while preparing for future dry seasons,” said Miller.
To learn more about what Western is doing to secure your water supply and how you can save more water, visit wmwd.com/Drought.
To find out more about Western, visit wmwd.com. Stay updated on Western's latest projects and happenings by following Western on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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Western Municipal Water District is one of the largest public agencies in Riverside County, providing water and wastewater (sewer) services to nearly a million people, both retail and wholesale customers who live, work and play within 527 square miles in one of California’s most populous regions. Learn more: wmwd.com.