The Valley Chronicle - Western Water awards $6 million to support Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District’s Lee Lake Wells Project

RIVERSIDE, CA – Western Municipal Water District (Western Water) announced it is awarding over $6 million in grant funding to Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD) to support the Lee Lake Wells Project, strengthening long-term water reliability across the Santa Ana River watershed. The project is part of the Santa Ana River Conservation and Conjunctive Use Program (SARCCUP), a multiagency initiative spanning six groundwater basins in the watershed.

“Strong partnerships make this work possible. When our agencies are aligned, we make better decisions, invest more wisely, and deliver better water service to our communities,” said Western Water’s Board President Laura Roughton. “We truly value our growing partnership with EVMWD and our shared goals for the future.”

The Lee Lake Wells Project includes the construction of new well facilities, the installation of well equipment and water treatment systems, and the connection to the Temescal Canyon transmission pipeline. Together, these improvements will enhance local water supply reliability, strengthen infrastructure, and support environmental stewardship.

Through SARCCUP, the project supports strategic storage of up to 4,500 acre-feet of water in the Elsinore Basin over three wet years, enough to meet the annual water needs of thousands of local families. It also provides the capacity to extract up to 1,500 acre-feet annually during droughts.

“Ensuring long-term water supply reliability for our customers is a core responsibility of EVMWD. Projects like Lee Lake Wells are critical to that mission,” said EVMWD General Manager Greg Thomas. “Our partnership with Western Water through SARCCUP has provided the collaboration and support needed to adapt, overcome challenges, and keep this project moving forward.”

Partnership is central to SARCCUP’s work, which began as a shared regional vision to better manage water through interagency coordination. That vision moved forward in 2016, when the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority secured funding through the California Department of Water Resources.

“Together, we are focused on strengthening our operations together to secure the region’s future water supply,” said Western Water General Manager Craig Miller. “This additional funding moves us closer to completion of the Lee Lake Wells Project and advances our shared commitment to long-term water resilience.”

The Lee Lake Wells Project was originally supported with approximately $300,000 in grant funding. As the project evolved to include additional components, such as water treatment, additional grant funding was secured over time, culminating in more than $6 million in total support. The grant was presented at EVMWD’s board meeting on Thursday, April 23.

“EVMWD is deeply committed to building a resilient water future for our community, and that commitment is strengthened through strong regional partnerships,” said EVMWD Board President Andy Morris. “This grant represents what’s possible when agencies come together around a shared vision, working collaboratively to improve reliability, maximize existing resources, and deliver long-term benefits across the Santa Ana River watershed.”

Together, Western Water, EVMWD, and SARCCUP partner agencies will continue working to position the region to meet future water demand needs.