WateReuse California presented Eastern Municipal Water District, Perris with the Recycled Water Agency of the Year award on March 8 at their annual conference in San Diego.
EMWD received the award in the large agency category. The large agency category applies to agencies that produce more than 5,000 acre feet of recycled water feet per year to be beneficially reused.
"We are honored to receive this award. It signifies the EMWD board of director's commitment to maximizing local water resources," says EMWD Board President Ron Sullivan. "Recycled water is an important part of our long-term plan to offset our reliance on imported water, while meeting the needs of our customers now and in the future. It is a cost-effective alternative to imported water – a source that is continually threatened by drought and regulatory issues such as those that are restricting water supplies from Northern California to protect endangered fish species in the Delta."
In 2009, EMWD sold more than 32,400 acre feet of recycled water to customers and is one of the largest marketers of recycled water for beneficial use in the State of California. EMWD has been aggressively pursuing recycled water use for those demands such as common area landscape irrigation in order to offset the need to use drinking water. Other uses include agricultural irrigation and industrial processing. As a result, EMWD has increased recycled water sales by 32% from 2006 to 2009. Currently, EMWD's recycled water use accounts for 26% of total water use. EMWD's goal is to supply nearly 83,000 acre feet of recycled water within its service area by 2030.
EMWD is the freshwater, wastewater service and recycled water provider to a 542-square mile area from Moreno Valley southward along the I-215 corridor to Temecula and eastward to Hemet and San Jacinto. Approximately 687,000 people live and work in this area.
More is at www.emwd.org.