Eastern Municipal Water District of Southern California
The Eastern Municipal Water District of Southern California was formed in 1950 to secure additional water for a lightly populated area of western Riverside County. In addition to water service, responsibilities now include sewage collection, water desalination and water recycling.
EMWD also sells to eight other water agencies, which in turn, serve their own customers. They are Elsinore Valley MWD, Western MWD of Riverside County, Lake Hemet MWD, City of Perris, City of Hemet, Nuevo Water Company, City of San Jacinto, and Rancho California Water District.
EMWD's main office is located at 2270 Trumble Road, Perris, California.
History
Since its formation in 1950, Eastern Municipal Water District has changed from a small, primarily agricultural-serving agency, to one whose major demands come from domestic customers.
Authorized under the Municipal Water District Act of 1911, EMWD's duties and responsibilities are further delineated in the California Water Code. In 1951, EMWD annexed to The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD).
The population within the current 542-square-mile (1,400 km2) service area is about 785,000.
EMWD provides service to about 142,000 water connections and serves roughly 34 percent of Riverside County's population. It is the county's largest water agency.
EMWD employs approximately 620 employees.
Facilities
EMWD owns and operates more than 2,500 miles of potable water pipeline throughout its service area. The District has more than 77 potable water storage tanks, 83 pumping plants, 21 active domestic wells and 12 desalter wells.
The District owns potable water filtration plants in Hemet and Perris. It has two reverse osmosis groundwater desalination facilities in Menifee and is designing a third groundwater desalination facility.
EMWD also owns and operates four Regional Water Reclamation Facilities, located in Perris, Moreno Valley, Temecula, and San Jacinto. It treats 46 million US gallons of wastewater each day from more than 229,000 sewer connections. EMWD converts that wastewater to tertiary-treated recycled water, which is used for irrigation purposes.
EMWD's Administrative and Operations Centers are located at 2270 Trumble Road, Perris California.
Water Supply Sources
EMWD receives its water supplies from a mix of local and imported sources. It's imported water is purchased through the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which includes the State Water Project and Colorado River Aqueduct as primary sources. As of 2015, imported water accounts for 51 percent of EMWD's overall water supply portfolio.
EMWD also relies heavily on local groundwater from the San Jacinto Groundwater Basin. Twelve percent of the District's overall demands are met through groundwater production and another 4 percent are met through groundwater desalination efforts. EMWD currently operates two groundwater desalination facilities in Menifee, which treats brackish groundwater through reverse osmosis.
Recycled water makes up nearly 33 percent of EMWD's overall portfolio. This water is used for irrigation of crops, schools, parks, golf courses, streetscapes and industrial uses. EMWD uses 100 percent of its recycled water for beneficial reuse and is one of the nation's leaders in recycled water. EMWD has been recognized by the WateReuse Foundation and other professional organizations for its expansive use of recycled water.
EMWD Board of Directors
EMWD is governed by a board of five directors, each representing comparably sized populations. This five-member board of directors is responsible to the members of the public of his or her division, and to the general public within the district, for proper conduct of district affairs. Board members are elected to four-year terms by the registered voters in five geographic divisions. These divisions are apportioned by population. Terms are staggered to ensure continuity with public elections held in at least two divisions every two years. Directors must reside within their elected division.
The current Board of Directors is made up of Philip E. Paule (District 1); Joseph J. Kuebler (District 2); Randy A. Record (District 3); Ronald W. Sullivan (District 4); and David J. Slawson (District 5). Record is the current Chairman of the Board for The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.
Service Area
EMWD's 542 square mile service area includes all or portions of the cities of Moreno Valley, Hemet, Perris, San Jacinto, Menifee, Perris, Murrieta,Temecula, and Canyon Lake. It also includes the unincorporated communities of Mead Valley, Good Hope, Quail Valley, Romoland, Homeland, Winchester, French Valley, Valle Vista, Murrieta Hot Springs and Diamond Valley.
See also
Water supply and sanitation in the United States