August 08, 2007

CVWD receives $1.4 million grant

The Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) has received a $1.4 million Water and Waste Disposal Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development.

The money will be used to install water delivery infrastructure in the low-income neighborhood of One Hundred Palms in Oasis. CVWD requested the funds to ensure a reliable supply of high-quality drinking water for the families living in the affected area.

"We are grateful to the USDA for awarding the grant, and to Congresswoman Mary Bono and Senators Diane Feinstein and Barbara Boxer for helping to secure the money for this important project,” said General Manger-Chief Engineer Steve Robbins.

"USDA Rural Development is committed to ensuring rural Californians have access to clean, safe drinking water,” said USDA Rural Development State Director Ben Higgins. “Many communities such as Oasis face strong difficulties in financing these improvements because of the higher costs seen in California and so we are proud to be able to partner with them to make these projects a possibility.”

CVWD is a public agency, governed by a five-member board of directors, that provides domestic and irrigation water, agricultural drainage, wastewater treatment and reclamation services, regional stormwater protection, groundwater management and water conservation across 1,000 square miles, primarily in Riverside County but also in portions of Imperial and San Diego counties.