INLAND EMPIRE, CA – The Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA/Agency) has received a conditional notice of award from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) for $1,389,147 under the 2025 WaterSMART Drought Response Program. The funding supports the Montclair Basin Improvement Project. This project will be completed by IEUA in collaboration with the Chino Basin Watermaster and the Chino Basin Water Conservation District, which will expand local groundwater recharge capacity and bolster regional drought preparedness in the Chino Groundwater Basin.
Announced by Reclamation on June 26, 2025, the WaterSMART Drought Response Program includes $33.5 million in funding for 14 projects across California, Nebraska, Utah, and Washington. These projects aim to improve drought resiliency through infrastructure upgrades, advanced water treatment, and innovative water management tools and technologies.
“We appreciate the Bureau of Reclamation’s continued partnership in helping our region secure sustainable water supplies,” said IEUA Board President Marco Tule. “This conditional funding supports critical improvements that will allow IEUA to capture and store more water locally, further protecting our groundwater basin and our communities against future droughts.”
The Montclair Basin Improvement Project, located in the city of Montclair, is designed to increase the volume of stormwater, dry-weather runoff, and imported water recharged into the Chino Groundwater Basin. Specifically, the project will construct new diversion inlets and improve existing infrastructure, building upon previous basin improvements completed in partnership with the Chino Basin Water Conservation District.
“Every drop of water captured and stored during wet years is a critical investment into future water supply reliability,” continued Tule. “IEUA continues to prioritize projects and initiatives that benefit the region. We remain committed to working with our partners to finalize the federal review process and advance efforts to deliver innovative, regional solutions that protect and enhance local water resources.”