Perris, CA (March 1, 2023) — Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) this week honored the County of Riverside with its 2022 Water Champion Award for its continued commitment to partner to provide a more sustainable water supply future for the region.

EMWD’s Water Champion Award is presented to those who show exemplary service in helping EMWD achieve its mission to deliver value to its diverse customers and the communities it serves by providing safe, reliable, economical, and environmentally sustainable water, wastewater and recycled water service.

EMWD has traditionally honored an individual with the award but chose to recognize the County of Riverside due to a successful partnership, particularly with the Board of Supervisors. EMWD presented the County with the award during the Board of Supervisors meeting on February 28, 2023.

“The County of Riverside has been an incredibly valuable partner in working with EMWD to ensure a better water supply future for its residents,” EMWD General Manager Joe Mouawad said. “When it came time to select our 2022 Water Champion Award, it was clear that the County of Riverside and the Board of Supervisors were a clear choice based on their commitment to collaboration and service to the community.”

EMWD received more than $15.6 million in funding from the County through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to help support six projects that will benefit the region.

EMWD coordinated with the Third District office of Supervisor Chuck Washington to receive more than $10 million in funding that will go toward three projects: The Mission Canyon II Pump Station Replacement in Hemet; the Southern Wine Country Sewer and the Northern Wine Country Sewer Phase II in unincorporated Temecula.

First District Supervisor Kevin Jeffries allocated more than $5 million in funding for a trio of projects: The Mead Valley Cajalco Sewer Infrastructure project, the Good Hope Olive Area Water System Improvements, and the Mead Valley Cajalco Corridor Water System Improvements.

The County has also remained committed to assisting our shared constituents through the difficult times brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Board of Supervisors allocated substantial federal funding to the Community Action Partnership (CAP) CARES program which offered assistance to families struggling to manage water and wastewater utility bills. 

Due to the hard work of CAP staff, Riverside received the greatest amount of water bill assistance for its customers, and within Riverside County, EMWD’s customers received the most financial assistance. This is a phenomenal accomplishment that really demonstrates care for our county’s residents.

Past winners of the award include: Senator Dianne Feinstein, Congressman Ken Calvert, Congressman Mark Takano, Assemblywoman Anna Caballero, former State Sen. Bill Emmerson, former Riverside County Supervisor Marion Ashley, retired U.S. Bureau of Reclamation area manager Bill Steele, and former California Gov. Jerry Brown.

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Eastern Municipal Water District is the water, wastewater service and recycled water provider to nearly one million people living and working within a 558-square mile service area in western Riverside County. It is California’s sixth-largest retail water agency, and its mission is “To deliver value to our diverse customers and the communities we serve by providing safe, reliable, economical and environmentally sustainable water, wastewater and recycled water services.” More information can be found at www.emwd.org.