Eastern projects receive federal funding allocations in House bill

Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) stands to receive federal funding allocations for two projects in the House Appropriations Committee’s FY 2022 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies legislation approved last week.

Thanks to Representatives Ken Calvert and Mark Takano, EMWD’s Quail Valley Septic to Sewer program is slated to receive $2.5 million and $1 million for its Mead Valley Booster Station project. If approved by Congress and signed into law by the President, the funds will be administered through the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s State and Tribal Assistance Grants program.

“EMWD is incredibly appreciative of the funding for these two critical infrastructure projects that will benefit our customers,” EMWD Board President Phil Paule said. “We are beyond grateful to Congressmembers Calvert and Takano, as well as their staffs, for working with us throughout this process and recognizing the benefits that these projects will provide to their constituents.”

The Quail Valley Septic-to-Sewer funding will support further efforts to transition areas of Quail Valley, located in Menifee, to a modernized sewer system. Failing septic systems in the community have resulted in wastewater being discharged into local ground and surface waters, creating a public health crisis.

“The Quail Valley Septic-to-Sewer Conversion Project is a significant priority for Riverside County,” said Rep. Calvert. “The overflow events triggered by heavy rains pose a significant health risk and degradation of water quality throughout the watershed. Addressing this ongoing problem will provide benefits to residents in Quail Valley as well as communities downstream in Canyon Lake and Lake Elsinore. More work remains to complete additional septic conversions in the region, but the funding included in the FY22 bill is a positive step towards the completion of this beneficial project. I appreciate the efforts of everyone at EMWD on this vital project.”

EMWD’s other project, the Mead Valley Booster Station was constructed nearly 60 years ago and is nearing the end of its useful life. This project will replace an aging booster station with an upgraded facility that will improve water supply reliability and improved fire flow for nearly 20,000 residents in the Mead Valley area.

“It’s essential that Mead Valley has the ability to provide clean drinking water for all, which is why I secured $1 million in federal dollars to help replace the Mead Valley Water Booster Station,” said Rep. Mark Takano. “This is a critical infrastructure project that will improve the operation and longevity of this facility which has served the Mead Valley for many years, and will greatly benefit a traditionally underserved region. I will never stop fighting for investments like this in my district.”

“Many of the customers who will benefit from these two projects live in economically disadvantaged areas, and this funding will help EMWD reduce the financial burden on our customers,” Paule said.

The bill was advanced by the House Appropriations Committee last week and is headed to the House floor for consideration.