New Water Project Boosts Drought Resilience for Local Growers by United Water Conservation District Jul 1, 2025 Member Submitted News OXNARD – United Water Conservation District (UWCD) recently completed the first phase of its Laguna Road Pipeline Project, bringing it one step closer to replacing groundwater as the primary source for agricultural irrigation. This new interconnection links Pleasant Valley County Water District’s (PVCWD) infrastructure with UWCD’s Pumping Trough Pipeline (PTP) System to deliver recycled water and help conserve local water resources. “Our local farmers are vital to this region,” said UWCD Board Member Keith Ford. “This new connection provides a high-quality water supply that’s not impacted by drought, helping ensure dependable yields for farming and fortify water basin management year after year.” The $7.9 million project, supported by nearly $5 million in grants, has been in development since 2022 and is being completed in two phases: first, the recent construction of approximately 3,300 linear feet of pipeline north of Laguna Road; and second, the upcoming installation of a new booster pump station to expand the use of recycled water. UWCD secured the grants through the California Department of Water Resources’ Sustainable Groundwater Management Grant and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Conservation Innovation Grant. “By integrating recycled water into our system, we are advancing our core mission of enhancing water resources and strengthening long-term regional sustainability,” said UWCD General Manager Mauricio Guardado. “Our Board’s support for recycled water initiatives has been instrumental in securing the necessary funding and driving this project forward.” The PTP currently conveys a blend of surface water delivered through United’s diversion facilities and pumped groundwater to growers across more than 5,200 acres on the Oxnard Plain and in Pleasant Valley. UWCD can now access recycled water from the City of Oxnard’s Advanced Water Purification Facility (AWPF), receiving up to 5,000 acre-feet per year (AFY) for agricultural irrigation and reduce its reliance on groundwater pumping. For more information about this project, visit unitedwater.org. ### About United Water Conservation District Since 1927, United Water Conservation District (District) has served as a leader among water agencies by managing, protecting, enhancing and securing the water resources of the Santa Clara River and Oxnard Coastal Plain. The District works to protect the environment’s natural attributes and conserves runoff from all major tributaries of the Santa Clara River, including Piru, Hopper, Sespe, and Santa Paula Creeks. Committed to managing the area’s water supplies through groundwater replenishment and the construction and operation of efficient water supply and delivery systems, the District serves as the conservator of groundwater resources that are utilized by the cities of Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Ventura, Santa Paula, and Fillmore, as well as Naval Base Ventura County and several mutual water districts, farms, and individual pumpers. The District also provides surface water for agricultural irrigation and treated drinking water to the cities of Oxnard and Port Hueneme. www.unitedwater.org
