Underground Water Monitoring Project Sheds Light on Water Quality by San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency Apr 15, 2025 Member Submitted News BEAUMONT – The San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency (SGPWA) will soon break ground on a groundwater monitoring wells installation project to support water reliability for local disadvantaged communities (DACs) near Banning, CA, in partnership with the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Starting April 17, the drilling and construction will be concentrated near 1220 Dysart Drive in Banning. Residents can expect the project to last 10 to 15 business days, with operating hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Local homes will not be directly impacted, and SGPWA and USGS will take all possible measures to minimize disruptions to the public’s daily routines. “Groundwater is essential for the San Gorgonio Pass area,” said SGPWA Board President Mickey Valdivia. “We are committed to ensuring all residents, especially those in disadvantaged communities, have access to safe, clean, and affordable water. We will continue safeguarding these vital resources for today, tomorrow and into future.” This critical work is funded by a $2 million Sustainable Groundwater Planning (SGWP) Grant from the Department of Water Resources (DWR) to advance the goals of the San Gorgonio Pass Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP). Groundwater monitoring wells provide vital information about the water beneath our feet. SGPWA will use data collected from the monitoring wells to better understand water quality and resources for the DACs overlying the San Gorgonio Pass Subbasin. DACs are burdened with higher rates of economic and public health strain. This includes parts of the communities of Banning, Verbenia, Cabazon and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians Reservation. Through the monitoring wells, SGPWA can plan for a sustainable water future in the Pass area. Groundwater monitoring wells work by observing groundwater levels and flow conditions, gathering samples to test groundwater quality, and evaluating the groundwater’s hydraulic properties. They collect invaluable hydrogeologic data to bolster dependable water resources throughout the area. Installation sites are chosen carefully to protect the water supply and deliver the best results. Once installed, residents will not experience any community impacts or interruptions. SGPWA expects to complete the monitoring wells installations by September and will use the data to safeguard dependable water resources for all. Please contact Matthew Howard at (760) 885-7844 or visit sgpwa.com for more information about this project. ### About San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency Formed in 1961, SGPWA is a State Water Contractor that serves a 225-square-mile area of western Riverside County. The service area includes the cities of Calimesa, Beaumont, and Banning, and the communities of Cherry Valley, Cabazon, and the Banning Bench. In addition to importing State Water Project (SWP) water from Northern California to augment local groundwater sources, the Agency builds local system infrastructure, participates in water transfers, partners in statewide water projects and collaborates on regional water reliability and conservation efforts.
