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Two hundred properties in the Quail Valley community in rural Menifee will soon dispense with their failing septic tank systems thanks to the recent groundbreaking for a new environmentally safe wastewater infrastructure. The groundbreaking is a landmark moment for the economically disadvantaged area. Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) and its community partners have worked for nearly three decades to provide a sewer system to the Quail Valley community through grant-funded resources.
“This is a milestone achievement for the Quail Valley community,” said EMWD Vice President Ron Sullivan, who represents the area. “EMWD and many others have worked for more than a generation to present our case, emphasizing the need for a sewer system and to secure funding from state agencies for the project to move forward without placing the burden on ratepayers in the community.”
The project funding was finalized earlier this year with the State Water Resources Control Board allocating $8 million toward the project. Additionally, the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority previously set aside $1.93 million in grant funding and the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board will be providing $455,814 in Supplemental Environmental Protection funds.
EMWD has work for many years with several community groups, including the Quail Valley Environmental Coalition, to work on behalf of residents to secure grant funding from the state. The median household income in the Quail Valley community ultimately became a primary factor in EMWD obtaining grant funding.
The Quail Valley community has been plagued with septic systems problems for years. In recent decades the area had often served as vacation homes. But, as the area grew and homes became frequently occupied year-round, the septic systems — which were not constructed for the additional demands of more frequent use — began to fail.
The new Quail Valley Sewer Project will include a mainline system in the public right of way and lateral connections to 150 existing homes and 66 undeveloped parcels. The new sewer system will connect via
gravity flow to a regional lift station that is being constructed by EMWD and funded in-part by the Audie Murphy Ranch development in Menifee, who will utilize the lift station.
“This project will enable the Quail Valley community to take a significant step toward its future,” Sullivan said. “Because of the failing septic systems, the region has sustained environmental damage and has been unable to accommodate any future new growth. This sewer system will serve as the answer to both of those issues that have hamstrung the community for far too long.”
Because the Quail Valley Sewer Project property is already an active construction site, the recent groundbreaking to formalize the long-awaited project was held in EMWD’s board room. In attendance were various elected officials including Riverside County Supervisor Marion Ashley and Quail Valley Environmental Coalition Chair Janet Anderson and included comments from Menifee Mayor Pro Tem Matt Liesemeyer.
