Federal funds to facilitate three EMWD projects

News release from Eastern Municipal Water District:

PERRIS -- The Riverside County Board of Supervisors recently approved more than $10.5 million in federal funding for three Eastern Municipal Water District projects that will improve water and wastewater services in the region.

The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the funding expenditure, which was backed by County Supervisor Chuck Washington. All three projects are in District 3, which Washington represents.

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding will help support the following projects by EMWD:

-- Mission Canyon II Pump Station Replacement ($1,440,000): EMWD will construct a new pump station in the unincorporated area east of Diamond Valley Lake in Hemet, which will improve water supply reliability in the region. The total project cost is $3.6 million.

-- Southern Wine Country Sewer ($4,120,000): This funding will support the design and construction of a sewer system on Anza Road and De Portola Road in Southern Wine Country. The total project cost is $10.3 million and will help eliminate failing septic systems from contaminating local groundwater supplies and help promote economic development in the region.

-- Northern Wine Country Sewer Phase II ($5,011,200): This system will include a new main line and laterals on Rancho California Road, East Benton Road, Glen Oaks Road and Warren Road, and connect into the existing sewer main line on Rancho California Road. The total project cost is $8.6 million and will help protect groundwater quality and support economic development in the region.

The County of Riverside has dedicated $15 million worth of ARPA funds per Supervisorial District to support water and wastewater infrastructure projects. EMWD worked closely with the County of Riverside and Supervisor Washington’s office to establish funding needs and coordinate on the grant funding of the projects. All three projects are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026.