Long-term investment ensures water reliability and savings for EVMWD’s growing service area
Lake Elsinore, CA—The Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD) has taken a significant step forward in securing the region’s water future by completing the purchase of an additional 6 cubic feet per second (CFS) of permanent capacity in the Mills Gravity Line, a vital water conveyance pipeline. This purchase brings EVMWD’s total ownership to 21 CFS, ensuring reliable water delivery to its service area as it continues to grow.
The Mills Gravity Line, owned and operated by Western Municipal Water District (Western Water), is a 14-mile pipeline that delivers imported water from Northern California to portions of Riverside County. This infrastructure plays a critical role in supporting the water needs of the region.
“This agreement reflects EVMWD’s commitment to securing the water supply infrastructure necessary to support our growing communities,” Chance Edmonson, EVMWD board president, said. “With our service area currently 35% built out, this investment ensures that we can meet future demands while maintaining the reliability and affordability our customers deserve.”
The Mills Gravity Line partnership is the result of a decade of collaborative efforts, driven by the foresight and passion of leaders from both agencies. Former Western Water board member Don Galleano, who died in June 2021, and current EVMWD board member Andy Morris were instrumental in laying the groundwork for this agreement.
Strategic Benefits for EVMWD Customers
- Reliability for a growing region: The added capacity is needed to support the anticipated 70% growth in water demands over the next 25 years. Each cubic foot per second (CFS) of water equates to approximately 724 acre-feet per year, or about 650,000 gallons per day—enough to supply the water needs of nearly 1,500 households annually.
- Substantial cost savings: Locking in the 2019 purchase price saved approximately $5 million compared to current market rates. Additionally, the purchase eliminates annual leasing charges of up to $2 million.
- Favorable financing: EVMWD secured below-market financing from Western Water with a 2.5% interest rate, saving approximately $500,000 in interest costs over the life of the loan.
“The Mills Gravity Line is a critical lifeline for delivering water to our customers,” said Andy Morris, board director for Division 5 of EVMWD. “This expansion of our service rights strengthens our ability to serve the region well into the future and ensures we remain ahead of the curve as our communities continue to grow.”
Collaborative Partnership with Western Water
EVMWD’s partnership with Western Water is a model of effective collaboration between water agencies. The two agencies have worked together for many years, leveraging shared resources and expertise to ensure cost-effective and reliable water solutions.
“We are grateful to Western Water’s team for their professionalism and shared commitment to supporting the needs of our region,” General Manager, Greg Thomas said. “This collaboration underscores the importance of working together to solve complex challenges and create long-term benefits for our communities.”
EVMWD remains focused on strategic investments in infrastructure and partnerships that ensure water reliability and affordability for its customers. By expanding its capacity in the Mills Gravity Line, EVMWD demonstrates its dedication to innovative, forward-thinking solutions that meet both current and future water demands.
For more information about EVMWD projects and services, visit EVMWD.com.
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EVMWD serves more than 163,000 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.
