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Celebrating a Half-Century: EVMWD Marks 50 Years of the Safe Drinking Water Act

By May 2, 2024No Comments

Local Water District Commemorates National Drinking Water Week with a Focus on Sustainability and Public Health

LAKE ELSINORE, CA – Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD) proudly joins communities across North America in commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) during Drinking Water Week. From May 5-11 this year, EVMWD celebrates this significant milestone and emphasizes the crucial role of safe drinking water in daily life.

“As we mark 50 years of the Safe Drinking Water Act and Drinking Water Week, we reaffirm our commitment to resilience in providing clean and reliable water services to our community 24/7,” said General Manager Greg Thomas of EVMWD. “Our highly qualified employees work tirelessly to ensure that our customers receive the highest quality water, meeting stringent standards set forth by the SDWA. They are the backbone of our operations, embodying our dedication to excellence in water service delivery.”

The passage of the SDWA in 1974 marked a pivotal moment in ensuring water quality standards and regulatory measures to protect public health and safety. EVMWD celebrates this legacy by continuously investing in partnerships and infrastructure to address the evolving needs of our community. Collaborating with local entities like the City of Lake Elsinore, City of Canyon Lake, City of Wildomar, the County of Riverside and Lake Elsinore Storm Stadium, and regional partners such as Western Water, EVMWD leverages these relationships to enhance watershed stewardship and community engagement.

Highlighting our dedication to environmental stewardship, EVMWD is advancing key initiatives through the expansion of the Horsethief Canyon and Regional Water Reclamation Facilities. These expansions are strategically designed to enhance our capacity to receive, treat, and supply recycled water. EVMWD recycles 100% of our water, meeting and exceeding regulatory requirements. This increase in recycled water capacity not only upholds our commitment to sustainability but also plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological health of Lake Elsinore. Providing the lake with 100% recycled water aids in preserving its natural balance and supporting its ongoing vitality.

EVMWD actively fosters community involvement and education on sustainable water management throughout the year with programs for students from kindergarten through 12th grade and various community events, including the annual STEM science fair in collaboration with the Lake Elsinore Valley Unified School District. In March 2024, EVMWD opened its doors to over 800 people in the community for our annual Splash Into Spring event.

Integrity is a cornerstone of EVMWD’s mission, underscoring our dedication to transparency. This commitment is highlighted each year with the release of our Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). This report offers a detailed look at water quality standards and testing results, ensuring that our community is well-informed about the safety and management of their water supply. We strongly encourage all residents to access and review this important document, available at www.evmwd.com/CCR. Please look for the latest report, set to be published on July 1, 2024.
During Drinking Water Week, we are taking additional steps to promote water efficiency by giving away free reusable water bottles to any resident within our service area. We invite residents to visit our offices to collect their reuseable water bottle Monday through Thursday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., while supplies last. By making this small change, we hope to inspire larger, lasting impacts on water conservation and sustainability in our community.

Join EVMWD in celebrating 50 years of the Safe Drinking Water Act and the vital role of the safe drinking water during Drinking Water Week 2024. For more information about EVMWD and to read our annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), please visit www.evmwd.com/CCR.

Community Affairs Specialist, Beatriz Cornejo, holding a reusable water bottle available to residents May 5 to May 11, 2024, while supplies last.

 

Construction continues at EVMWDs Regional Reclamation Water Treatment Facility to bring an additional 4 million gallons per day of capacity to the area.

 

A photo of Lake Elsinore, at full capacity in April 2024.

 

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EVMWD provides service to more than 159,000 water and wastewater customers in a 97-square-mile area in Western Riverside County. The EVMWD team delivers total water management that powers the health and vibrancy of its communities so life can flourish.