Your Water is Our Promise: The CVWD Blog

All 14 project areas of the fiscal year 2024 Strategic Plan are on track, Assistant General Manager Robert Cheng told the Board Nov. 28. 

Here are some of the projects:  

• Coordinate community outreach for CVWD career opportunities
• Review converting chlorine to UV disinfection at WRP 10
• Rehabilitate high nitrate domestic water wells
• Analyze issues associated with zero emission fleet
• Expand conservation program initiatives
• Develop supervisor training platform
• Analyze issues associated with zero emission fleet
• Analyze groundwater replenishment recycled water reuse project
• Develop and implement plan to ensure financial adequacy

In addition, Cheng said, staff has had to address unanticipated work, including Chromium 6 compliance and repair from the Hilary and Labor Day storms.

The board also approved:

• Purchasing two IBM servers to replace current servers for no more than $279,000. The new servers are expected to be in service for 8 years.
• Renewing a three-year contract with Nearmap for GIS aerial imagery service for a total cost of $274,998.

CVWD Board of Directors approved measures Nov. 14 to provide safe drinking water to disadvantaged East Valley communities and expand CVWD’s nonpotable water service areas and more.

Prime home garden planting time extends into mid-November. Nurseries are loaded with fresh plants in containers, flats, and pots. New plants can develop roots when the soil is still warm before cooler air temps in late fall and winter slow plant growth. 

Need ideas? 

Desert Horticultural Society has developed a series of handy charts that list common plants found in the Coachella Valley. 

Here are samples:

Low water needs

Trees: Acacia, Mesquite, Palo Verde 

Shrubs: Brittlebush, Cassia, Coral Fountain

Cactus & Succulents: Agave, Desert Spoon, Paddle Cactus

Medium water needs

Trees: Olive, Palms, Pepper Tree, 

Shrubs: Bougainvillea, Bird of Paradise, Lantana 

Perennials: African Daisy, Lily of the Nile, Sage

High Water Plants

Trees & Shrubs: Crape Myrtle, Indian Laurel, Pink Powder Puff

Annuals: Geranium, Petunia, Zinnia

Fruit trees & Vegetables: Citrus, Grapes, Tomato

For the complete lists:  Click on Desert Gardening Resources at 

deserthorticultralsociety.org. 

For more plant choices: Try “Lush and Efficient: Desert-Friendly Landscaping in the Coachella Valley.” It lists more than 300 plants with over 800 photos. You can search by several dozen categories. You can pick up a copy of the 160-page book at CVWD’s Coachella office at 50-501 Tyler St., or CVWD’s Palm Desert office at 75-525 Hovley Lane East (same building where you pay your bill). You can also find the book at CVWD.org/conservation for PDF download.