The Inland Empire Utilities Agency is committed to enhancing and preserving the quality of life throughout the region. While conservation has increased, California is still facing severe to exceptional drought conditions and continued water-use efficiency is a key component of ensuring supplies remain available moving forward. The community is doing a wonderful job at recognizing that The Time is Now to engage in water saving efforts but there is always room to #StepItUp. I strongly encourage residents to consider taking advantage of water-use efficiency programs, available at no cost to residents, as we continue to work together during this drought.

IEUA’s continued regional approach to water resource management focuses on developing local partnerships, promoting water-use efficiency programs, and continuing to invest in a diversified water portfolio to address water supply challenges.

Water recycling is a critical component of the water resources management strategy for IEUA with benefits ranging from drought resiliency to enhanced groundwater quality. IEUA’s groundwater recharge team recently celebrated a new recycled water recharge milestone, recharging 17,054 acre feet of recycled water back into underground reservoirs of the Chino Basin. These milestones as well as critical infrastructure projects such as the ongoing expansion of Regional Water Recycling Plant No. 5 and the Chino Basin Program (CBP) are essential to combatting the State’s drought conditions and improving local reliability and control.

While still in its planning and development phase, once implemented, the CBP will allow for the ability to address local water quality and compliance needs to support development, resiliency, regional growth, operational flexibility, and reliability by providing an additional 15,000 acre feet of advanced treated recycled water that will be stored in the Chino Basin each year. Working together with our many partners on the CBP, we are developing solutions to address our regional needs with widespread benefits to shape the future of water- ensuring every drop counts.

Biosolids management is also a key component of IEUA’s mission to promote economic development and protect the environment. The Inland Empire Regional Composting Authority, recently having sold three million cubic yards of compost, converts waste products from the recycled water process into high quality compost through sustainable practices, benefiting both our partnering agencies and communities.

I am incredibly proud of the efforts by our IEUA staff in their unwavering dedication to ensure that our region can continue to thrive. I look forward to building upon the Agency’s successes and fostering our commitment to deliver a high-quality and resilient water supply for the benefit of the region.

Click here to view the Agency’s most recent Coffee With the General Manager update.

Shivaji Deshmukh, P.E.
General Manager