Water agencies break ground on regional recycled water facility

East Valley Water District (East Valley), San Bernardino Municipal Water Department (San Bernardino Water), and San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District (Valley District) came together this week to break ground on the first phase of a regional recycled water project that will transport and store water in Highland and San Bernardino.

“The Weaver Basins are one critical piece of the regional puzzle and an investment in our region’s long-term water supply sustainability,” commented East Valley Board Chairman Phillip R. Goodrich. “Thanks to the collaboration between East Valley, San Bernardino Water, and Valley District, the region will benefit from recycled water.”

Phase one of the project includes the installation of a 30-inch pipeline which will bring treated water from East Valley’s Sterling Natural Resource Center (SNRC) and San Bernardino Water’s Tertiary Treatment System for groundwater recharge to the newly constructed Weaver Basins.

“Regional efforts have been ongoing to replenish groundwater in the San Bernardino Basin, especially given the ongoing drought conditions over the last few years,” stated San Bernardino Water Board President, Toni Callicott. “Even without rain, we will always have a source of recycled water that can be treated and kept locally. It’s exciting to be designing and building these facilities now.”

The Weaver Basins project is expected to be complete by December 2022.