San Bernardino Valley Receives $5.7 Million from Urban Drought Relief Grant Program by San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District Jul 11, 2023 Member Submitted News SAN BERNARDINO – San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District (San Bernardino Valley), a regional leader in water resource management and sustainability, announced that it has been awarded $5.7 million in the Urban Drought Relief Grant Program. The grant is a testament to the organization’s commitment to addressing long-term water supply challenges and promoting responsible water management best practices. The awarded funds will be used for two key initiatives, $3.1 million for the Bunker Hill Conjunctive Use Wells Project and $2.6 million for Water Conservation and Efficient Device Direct Installations. These projects play an essential role in enhancing water availability and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the local water supply. “We are honored to have been awarded the Urban Drought Relief Grant Program in recognition of our commitment to water sustainability and the development of innovative solutions to combat drought,” said Paul Kielhold, San Bernardino Valley Board President. The Bunker Hill Conjunctive Use Wells Project is a groundbreaking endeavor aimed at bolstering the region’s water resources by developing an innovative groundwater storage and recovery system. By effectively capturing and storing wet-year water supplies in our shared groundwater basin for future use during dry years this initiative will reduce the impacts of drought and strengthen the water supply resilience of the community. In addition to the Bunker Hill Conjunctive Use Wells Project, the grant will fund water efficient fixture direct installations to offset costs of water-saving measures for residents, businesses, and institutions within the region. By combining comprehensive water conservation education with installation of efficient fixtures, San Bernardino Valley, together with local water agencies, will empower individuals and organizations to implement sustainable practices that conserve precious water resources for future generations. “By leveraging the grant funding, San Bernardino Valley can serve as a resource to encourage regional collaboration and education,” said Heather Dyer, CEO General Manager at San Bernardino Valley. “We aim to serve as a model for others to implement programs that support sustainable water management and watershed health.” Ensuring water sources are available for current and future residents requires programs that prepare for the wide array of weather conditions while serving as a resource to reduce inefficient water use. Water resource management and water conservation programs are elements of the comprehensive effort to enhance the region’s long-term water supply reliability. ### About the Urban Drought Relief Program The Urban Community Drought Relief Program is one of three Department of Water Resources’ (DWR’s) Drought Relief Grant Programs that offers financial assistance to address drought impacts. These grants are intended to provide water to communities that face the loss or contamination of their water supplies, to address immediate impacts on human health and safety, to secure the future of California’s water supply, and to protect fish and wildlife resources. For more information visit water.ca.gov. About San Bernardino Valley San Bernardino Valley is a regional water agency with a service area that covers around 353 square miles in southwestern San Bernardino County and a population of approximately 714,000. With a dedicated team of experts and partnerships across the region, San Bernardino Valley is commited to building a resilient and sustainable water future for the community. Learn more at www.sbvmwd.com.
