The Coachella Valley Water District has secured a $39 million federal grant to expand the Thermal Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The funds will support Phase 1 of a multi-year project allowing the plant to provide a blend of recycled and canal water for crop irrigation and various landscapes in the eastern Coachella Valley. This will be the first CVWD treatment plant to offer this type of blended water supply to irrigation customers.
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation grant is crucial to the District’s commitment to the long-term preservation of the Lower Colorado River Basin as a reliable water resource for the community. The initial phase of this project will conserve 33,600 acre-feet of Colorado River water over 30 years, contributing to the stability of Lake Mead.
This project highlights CVWD’s commitment to sustainable water management while delivering high-quality water to its customers. A key component of this commitment, outlined in the sustainability goals of the 2022 Revised Indio Sub-Basin Water Management Plan, is the ongoing development of recycled water as a dependable supply.
The expansion of the Thermal Wastewater Treatment Plant includes two future phases. Once completed, the facility can utilize its entire recycled water supply of 10 million gallons daily.
This grant is part of a broader $284.8 million investment by the Bureau of Reclamation in long-term conservation projects across four Colorado River Basin water districts. Funded through the Inflation Reduction Act, these projects will collectively conserve more than 492,000 acre-feet of water and help stabilize Lake Mead.
