Perris, CA (September 24, 2020) — Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) has been recognized with the 2020 Utility of the Future Today award for EMWD’s groundbreaking approach to expanding its recycled water system.

EMWD is one of 65 water utilities nationwide to be honored with the award, which highlights transformational work in community engagement, watershed stewardship and resource management.

EMWD’s award application highlighted its nationally recognized Recycled Water Accelerated Retrofit Program, which is an innovative approach to promote the expanded use of recycled water for community benefit. EMWD is widely viewed as a national leader in recycled water and uses 100 percent of its recycled water supply for beneficial reuse during normal years.

EMWD’s Accelerated Retrofit Program assists customers – including other public agencies – retrofit potable water landscape areas to recycled water. EMWD takes the lead on the design and permitting, as well as providing a funding mechanism that offers both immediate and long-term cost savings. The program has resulted in enough potable water savings for thousands of residential homes each year.

The Utility of the Future Today program was launched in 2016 by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, the Water Environment Federation, the Water Research Foundation and the WateReuse Association, with input from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“EMWD is grateful to be recognized for the forward-thinking approach we have taken with our recycled water program,” EMWD Board President Ron Sullivan said. “We look forward to continuing to work on behalf of our customers to meet their needs both today and for future generations.”

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Eastern Municipal Water District is the water, wastewater service and recycled water provider to approximately 839,000 people living and working within a 555-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.