CVWD has announced the completion of work to provide sewer service to the San Antonio Del Desierto (St. Anthony’s) mobile home park in Mecca, CA.

The sewer system work was especially important because high groundwater levels in the area combined with the current shallow well the community relies on posed a serious health risk to residents.

CVWD led construction of the project that will allow communities from up to one mile away to connect to the sewer pipeline. The project was made possible with grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the California Department of Water Resources with assistance from Pueblo Unido Community Development Corporation.

The USDA Rural Development and the California Department of Water Resources grants totaled $3,890,600, portions of which were obtained in 2018 and 2014. In addition, CVWD invested in upsizing the sewer mains and the lift station serving St. Anthony’s residents at Lincoln Street and Avenue 64. The upsizing will allow expanded services to other disadvantaged communities Approximately 700 East Valley residents will see an improvement to their living conditions.  

In 2017, CVWD founded a Disadvantaged Communities Infrastructure Task Force to assist communities in the East Valley in receiving grant funding for important infrastructure projects. The Infrastructure Task Force is comprised of representatives from local disadvantaged communities, government agencies and non-profit organizations committed to working on short-term and long-term solutions to ensure that all regional disadvantaged communities benefit.