May 5, 2010

Rural Mecca families now tapping high-quality CVWD drinking water

The families living in 60 mobile homes at the La Peña Housing Facility in Mecca have been connected to the Coachella Valley Water District's (CVWD) domestic water system thanks to the completion of a project funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Previously, the residents of this mobile home park in Mecca were receiving tap water from two private wells that did not meet state drinking water standards for arsenic.

“The residents of this community are now benefitting from a reliable source of high-quality drinking water and improved fire protection,” said Steve Robbins, general manager–chief engineer. “Our staff did extensive outreach to the residents throughout the process to inform them of the improvements being done in their community.”

CVWD worked with the California Department of Public Health to obtain federal stimulus funding for the project. A grant of nearly $550,000 covered the costs of 3,700 feet of 12-inch ductile iron pipe, meters and other necessary equipment, planning, design, inspections and approvals.

Jones Brothers Construction Company of Coachella was awarded the construction contract; CVWD staff provided the engineering, surveying and inspection services.

All drinking water provided by CVWD meets state and federal water quality standards. There are numerous private wells and water systems in the eastern Coachella Valley that provide drinking water but do not meet government water quality standards for arsenic. CVWD's board of directors and staff are working closely with county and state elected officials to secure funding for future water quality improvement projects in housing communities, like La Peña, that depend on private wells.

Working its way through state legislative committees is a bill by Assemblyman V. Manuel Pérez to fund a feasibility study to determine a plan for CVWD to expand its domestic water system to include rural communities in the eastern valley.

The Coachella Valley Water District is a public agency governed by a five-member board of directors. The district provides domestic and irrigation water, agricultural drainage, wastewater treatment and reclamation services, regional storm water protection, groundwater management and water conservation. It serves more than 107,000 residential and business customers across 1,000 square miles, primarily in Riverside County, but also in portions of Imperial and San Diego counties.