INLAND EMPIRE, CA – The Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA/Agency) proudly recognizes the month of May as Water Awareness Month. As the Agency commemorates its 75th anniversary throughout 2025, IEUA reflects on its longstanding commitment to regional collaboration, public service, and protecting one of our most precious resources—water.
Water Awareness Month emphasizes the critical role water plays in both environmental and public health, especially as water usage typically increases during warmer months. May offers the perfect opportunity to raise awareness about water-use efficiency and the importance of water stewardship. As the imported water provider and regional wastewater treatment agency for over 950,000 residents, IEUA leads the way in protecting public health and supporting local water supply reliability by developing recycled water supplies, responsibly managing a complex regional wastewater system, promoting water-wise habits, and much more.
“As we celebrate 75 years of service to the community, we are reminded that regional collaboration has always been at the heart of everything we do,” said Board President Marco Tule. “Partnerships with our customer agencies, cities, and stakeholders are vital in maintaining the infrastructure that protects public health and ensures reliable water, wastewater, and emergency services for our communities.”
To encourage regional sustainability, IEUA will be partnering with Cucamonga Valley Water District, Monte Vista Water District, West Valley Water District, and the cities of Chino, Montclair, and Upland to give away free FOG lids to community members throughout the month of May.
FOG stands for fats, oils, and greases. FOG lids are can-covers meant to act as lids for aluminum cans that can receive hot FOG into a can, cover it with the FOG lids, and let it cool before scraping it out into the trash. These work on aluminum food cans of various sizes and help eliminate the disposal of FOG down the drain as it can lead to serious sewer and plumbing issues. Without reliable wastewater infrastructure, not only could public health be at risk, but our local supply reliability will be threatened if recycled water supplies cannot be created. Protecting our sewer system is everyone’s responsibility and properly disposing of FOG is one way that our community can help.
IEUA’s giveaway will take place at Building A of the Agency’s Chino headquarters (6075 Kimball Avenue, Chino, CA 91708) on Monday-Thursday from 8 AM-5 PM throughout the month. Limit four (4) FOG lids per household, while supplies last. Contact your participating local water provider for respective giveaway details.
“IEUA continues to work alongside its regional partners to invest in and maintain critical infrastructure that keeps our communities safe and resilient,” added Tule. “Whether it’s through joint investments in water systems, coordinated emergency planning, or shared outreach programs, we are proud to work together toward a common goal of resource sustainability and reliability.”
To learn more about water-use efficiency, regional conservation programs, and ways to preserve our water and wastewater systems, visit ieua.org/save-your-water/