Statewide Storage Project Will Improve Water Dependability For Residents

As two of the top three investors in the Sites Reservoir Project, San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency (SGPWA) and San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District (SBVMWD) were critical partners in the approval of the project which will benefit Pass Area communities by capturing and storing water for later use.

The Sites Reservoir Project is a 1.5 million acre-foot off-stream water storage project that will improve water reliability throughout California. Located north of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the project would provide water supply and environmental benefits during dry periods. The Sites Project Authority, as the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act, certified the project’s final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and approved the project at a meeting in November 2023.

SGPWA and SBVMWD were present at the meeting, with SGPWA General Manager Lance Eckhart making the first motion to certify the EIR, followed by a second from SBVMWD General Manager Heather Dyer.

“We are proud to be part of such a historic move to strengthen our state’s water resources,” said SGPWA President Larry Smith. “SGPWA has backed the Sites Reservoir Project since its inception and today there is a waiting list for participation. We are grateful to be a partner in this project, which will advance reliability for residents across California, including our own Pass Area communities.”

SGPWA and SBVMWD have supported the project over the past 10 years, securing both agencies the promise of these increased supplies. Many other agencies in California now must wait for a possible allocation from this important new water supply source.

“After decades of planning, we are excited to see this project move forward to the final planning stages to prepare for construction,” said SBVMWD President Paul R. Kielhold. “Capturing and storing stormwater via Sites Reservoir will provide enhanced water resiliency for residents not only locally, but across the entire state.”

For additional details on the Sites Reservoir Project, go to sitesproject.org. For more information, visit www.sgpwa.com. and www.sbvmwd.com.

About San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency
Formed in 1961, SGPWA is a State Water Contractor that serves a 225-square-mile area of western Riverside County. The service area includes the cities of Calimesa, Beaumont, and Banning, and the communities of Cherry Valley, Cabazon, and the Banning Bench. In addition to importing State Water Project (SWP) water from Northern California to augment local groundwater sources, the Agency builds local system infrastructure, participates in water transfers, partners in statewide water projects and collaborates on regional water reliability and conservation efforts.

About San Bernardino Valley
San Bernardino Valley is a regional water agency with a service area that covers around 353 square miles in southwestern San Bernardino County and a population of approximately 714,000. With a dedicated team of experts and partnerships across the region, San Bernardino Valley is committed to building a resilient and sustainable water future for the community.