Sweetwater Authority Breaks Ground to Improve Water Quality and Supply Reliability by Sweetwater Authority Aug 31, 2026 Member Submitted News SPRING VALLEY —Sweetwater Authority today broke ground on the Sweetwater Reservoir Aeration/Destratification System, a major infrastructure project designed to improve water quality, increase the yield of local water supplies and strengthen the region’s long-term drought resiliency. The project is supported by a $1.53 million grant from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART Drought Response Program, which provides funding to help water agencies implement projects that build long-term resiliency to drought. “This project represents a smart, forward-looking investment in our water system that will help us make the most of our local water supplies while maintaining reliable, high-quality water for the approximately 200,000 people we serve,” said Ditas Yamane, Chair, Sweetwater Authority Board of Directors. Local elected officials, Sweetwater Authority Board members and project partners joined Authority representatives for the groundbreaking ceremony. The aeration and destratification system will increase dissolved oxygen levels in Sweetwater Reservoir by introducing air from land-based compressors through a submerged diffuser line. The system will help create more uniform water quality throughout the reservoir’s water column, improving the Authority’s ability to use local water supplies. The project is also expected to reduce the need to blend local reservoir water with imported water sources. By increasing the usability and yield of local supplies, the system can help reduce water supply costs for Sweetwater Authority and its ratepayers while improving the region’s resilience during drought conditions. Sweetwater Authority received the grant award from the Bureau of Reclamation on June 26, 2025. Funding was provided through the agency’s WaterSMART Drought Response Program. Construction of the aeration system is expected to be in completed in the Spring of 2027. The project is part of Sweetwater Authority’s ongoing efforts to strengthen water supply reliability, make effective use of local water resources and maintain safe, reliable and affordable drinking water for the communities it serves.
