Western Municipal Water District

Western Municipal Water District delivers approximately 29 billion gallons of water annually to Riverside County residents. Many locals aren't aware that most of this water is imported from Northern California. This long-distance transportation makes imported water more expensive than locally sourced alternatives.

Additionally, imported water faces reliability challenges due to environmental restrictions in the Sacramento Delta region. That's why Western is actively working to secure more local water sources to meet both current and future community needs.

Local water development helps the District become more self-sufficient, maintain stable rates, and ensure greater reliability during drought conditions or other emergency situations. Western has invested millions in infrastructure projects recently and will continue this important strategy in coming years.

Key projects include:

• The La Sierra Pipeline (LSP) project, which began construction in June 2017, is one of Western's largest infrastructure investments. This five-mile underground pipeline along La Sierra Avenue will transport water from two groundwater desalters through the Sterling Pump Station to customers, with completion expected in fall 2019.
• The Sterling Pump Station, located in Riverside Business Park on Sterling Avenue, features advanced technology to move water uphill through the new pipeline to existing distribution systems.
• The Victoria Recharge Basin at Victoria Avenue and Jackson Street in Riverside captures stormwater and redirects it to naturally replenish groundwater supplies, supporting production at the Arlington Desalter.

The Chino and Arlington Desalters are critical facilities producing nearly 3 billion gallons annually of local water. They extract groundwater and use reverse osmosis to purify it into clean municipal water. Western invested nearly $35 million in the Chino Desalter expansion project alone. Together, these innovative initiatives will significantly reduce regional dependence on imported water.

1. How often is my municipal water tested? Western Municipal Water District conducts rigorous testing throughout the year in compliance with EPA standards.
2. What causes water hardness in Riverside County? The mineral content, primarily calcium and magnesium, comes from natural deposits in local water sources.
3. Are there health concerns with the detected contaminants? While some contaminants are regulated due to potential health impacts, the district ensures levels remain within legal limits.
4. How can I improve my home's water quality? Many residents choose water filtration systems to address hardness and remove additional contaminants.