CVWD Secures $39M Grant For Plant Expansion Blending Recycled And Canal Water For Irrigation

The Coachella Valley Water District has secured a $39M 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 $284.8M 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.

About Coachella Valley Water District
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.