Western Municipal Restores Local Water Source in Murrieta

The following is a news release issued by Western Municipal Water District:

Western has restored a Murrieta water source for its customers, which brings more locally produced groundwater to customers’ homes instead of the more costly imported water purchased from the Metropolitan Water District.

“Pumping water from right beneath where we live is far less expensive than transporting costly water from distant sources like the Colorado River and Bay-Delta,” said Western Board Member Brenda Dennstedt, whose division includes Murrieta. “From utilizing our local wells, desalting groundwater and our use of recycled water, Western continues to look for ways to bring safe, secure local water to our customers.”

The four-month water quality and supply improvement project provides about one-third of the Murrieta Division water demands with the more cost-efficient local supply. The District has made substantial investments in restoring local groundwater sources at sustainable pumping quantities within the local basin.

The roughly $120,000 well renovation project will see a return on investment within three to six months as Western will be able to purchase less of more costly imported water. Funds for the renovation came from Western refinancing debt in the Murrieta Division. By refinancing the District’s CFD bonds, $4.5 million in long-term interest expense will be saved benefitting the Murrieta Division customers, and it has generated nearly $600,000 for improving Murrieta’s water sources and infrastructure.

The renovated New Clay Well water quality exceeds the state of California drinking water quality standards. All of the water Western supplies undergo rigorous and routine periodic testing to ensure that the District is delivering high-quality, safe drinking water to customers. The District’s 2012 Consumer Confidence Report details the quality of all water provided by the District; the current report is available at wmwd.com.

In addition to bringing this well back online and expanding local water resources, Western’s work in the Murrieta Division includes improvements to the Alson Pump Station and the addition of Grizzly Ridge Reservoir No. 2, which helped improve pressure in the Grizzly Ridge Pressure Zone. Additionally, the Olga Gordon Reservoir No. 2 increased water storage capacity and two water interconnection projects provide emergency water and improved water service to the area.

Western Municipal Water District provides water supply, wastewater disposal and water resource management to the public in a safe, reliable, environmentally sensitive and financially responsible manner.