IEUA and CBWCD Partner on Stormwater for Recharge Pilot Program by Chino Basin Water Conservation District May 31, 2022 Member Submitted News INLAND EMPIRE – The Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) and Chino Basin Water Conservation District (CBWCD) are partnering on a grant within the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s (MWD) Stormwater for Recharge Pilot Program. MWD’s Stormwater for Recharge Pilot Program was created to fund construction of new direct-use stormwater capture projects and stormwater recharge projects, as well as the installation of monitoring equipment and data reporting following construction completion. MWD plans to utilize the data on costs and the volume of water produced by these projects to determine future funding for stormwater capture efforts. “As we navigate through California’s drought, it is imperative to pursue opportunities that increase our water supply portfolio and decrease dependence on imported supplies,” stated Steve Elie, IEUA Board President. “This program will not only contribute to drought resiliency throughout the Chino Basin but allows IEUA to continue to be a leader in water supply solutions for the region. We could not be more pleased to enter into this program with the support and partnership of MWD and the Chino Basin Water Conservation District.” As part of MWD’s grant program, $1 million will be allocated to IEUA and CBWCD for monitoring, construction, and overall costs to implement respective projects throughout the Montclair Basin. A spillway component anticipated to improve potential stormwater capture by 56 acre-feet per year (AFY) will be constructed by CBWCD, and a channel diversion component expected to increase stormwater capture by an additional 96 AFY will be constructed by IEUA. The program is projected to ultimately yield an additional 152 AFY in stormwater capture throughout the Basin. Both projects are expected to be completed by the end of 2022. “Securing this significant grant advances our agencies’ goals of protecting and preserving the Chino Groundwater Basin,” said Terence King, CBWCD Board President. “As we continue working together in the shadow of ongoing drought, capturing every drop of water is critical and this project does exactly that.” For more information regarding the Stormwater for Recharge Pilot Program or MWD’s additional funding opportunities, please visit mwdh2o.com. # # # The Chino Basin Water Conservation District was formed in 1949 to help protect and preserve the Chino Groundwater Basin for the San Bernardino County communities that rely on it as a water source. Its formal service area includes all or part of the cities of Chino, Chino Hills, Montclair, Ontario, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, and Upland. The Inland Empire Utilities Agency covers 242-square miles, distributes imported water, provides industrial/municipal wastewater collection and treatment services, and other related utility services to more than 875,000 people through its customer agencies which include Chino, Chino Hills, Cucamonga Valley Water District, Fontana, Fontana Water Company, Montclair, Monte Vista Water District, Ontario, and Upland.
