RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Western Municipal Water District received a $1 million grant for the Arlington Basin Groundwater Quality Improvement Project that will help the District continue its mission to secure a reliable water supply to the region. The funding, provided by the Riverside County Flood Control & Water Conservation District, will assist in the construction of three groundwater recharge basins in the Arlington Basin, which is located in the western area of Riverside near the 91 Freeway heading toward La Sierra. This project will improve groundwater quality and increase available water supplies in the basin.
“The basin project helps us responsibly manage our local water supplies while reducing the region’s demand on costly imported water from far off sources,” said Craig Miller, Western’s deputy general manager. “We’re very fortunate to partner with local agencies that share in our vision and lend financial support to these projects.”
Recharging the basin will provide a local and reliable groundwater supply for Western’s Arlington Desalter. The desalter treats the basin’s groundwater and produces nearly 5,400 acre-feet – or 1.8 billion gallons – of drinking water per year for the communities of Norco and Corona. One acre-foot of water provides the annual water supply needs for roughly two average-size households.
The total cost of the recharge project is estimated at $4.5 million. Western is also seeking funding from Propositions 84 and 1E in addition to the grant. The Arlington Basin project is scheduled to begin construction by 2015.
Western Board President Tom Evans noted the collaboration that makes these water projects successful.
“We just witnessed one of California’s driest rain seasons. Storing local water runoff during wet years and partnering with agencies like Riverside County Flood Control & Water Conservation District increases our ability to secure local drinking water supplies.”
