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Earlier this month, the California Water Commission (CWC) determined the Chino Basin Program (CBP) was feasible and could continue its work towards final approval of $212 million awarded under the Water Storage Investment Program (WSIP).
At a July 2018 meeting of the CWC, the CBP was one of seven projects awarded conditional funding under the WSIP, which was a component of Proposition 1 approved by California voters in 2014.
The CBP includes construction of an advanced water treatment facility and distribution system to treat and store up to 15,000 acre-feet per year of recycled water in the Chino Basin. In addition to the creation and storage of the advanced treated water that reduces the impact of salinity in the groundwater, the CBP provides groundwater production capacity of 40,000 acre-feet per year that improves water quality and addresses historical land subsidence within the Chino Basin.
“I am pleased that the California Water Commission board members recognized the value of this project and approved it to move forward,” said Randall James Reed, President of the Board of Directors for the Cucamonga Valley Water District. “The current drought and statewide water supply emergency have highlighted the importance of working together as a region to develop innovative programs like the CBP. Our agency is proud to be working with MWD, IEUA, and surrounding agencies to create a stronger drought resilient region with a more diverse water supply improving local water supply reliability. This program has the potential to provide significant value to our region and rate payers, Southern California, and the State.”
To-date the following agencies have signed letters of interest in the CBP:
- Cucamonga Valley Water District
- Fontana Water Company
- Jurupa Community Services District
- City of Pomona
- Three Valleys Municipal Water District
- Western Municipal Water District
- Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Going forward, the CBP must complete the remaining WSIP requirements, including final permits and final environmental documents, contracts for the administration of public benefits, and contracts for non-Proposition 1 funding before returning to the Commission for a final award hearing.
