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Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) announced they are the recipient of the 2021 California Municipal Utilities Association’s Resource Efficiency and Community Service Award for large agencies in the water sector.
The district was recognized for its Recycled Water Accelerated Retrofit Program, which helps EMWD’s commercial, industrial and institutional customers transition landscape areas to recycled water while also promoting water conservation programs in the process.
As part of the retrofit program, EMWD identifies eligible customers adjacent to recycled water infrastructure that are still using potable water for irrigation needs. EMWD then takes the lead on design, permitting and the initial funding to transition the site to recycled water in an expedited timeline. The project costs are then reimbursed to EMWD through a specialized rate that is lower than the potable water rate but higher than the normal recycled water rate.
The program is in its third phase and has benefited more than 50 sites, including schools, parks, industrial complexes, homeowners’ associations and public landscaping. It has saved nearly 1,000 acre feet of potable water per year – enough to provide for more than 2,000 households.
“EMWD appreciates this honor by the California Municipal Utilities Association,” EMWD Board President Phil Paule said. “We are incredibly proud of our Accelerated Retrofit Program and the benefits it has provided to our customers and the potable water savings we have achieved as a result.”
For more information, visit https://www.emwd.org/recycled-water-service.
