Press Releases
EMWD Honors County of Riverside with Water Champion Award
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’s Patrick the Poo Recognized for Educational Excellence
Perris, CA (February 15, 2023) — Eastern Municipal Water District’s (EMWD) beloved wastewater mascot, Patrick the Poo, was honored this week with the 2022 National Environmental Achievement Award by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) for excellence in public information and education. EMWD received the award at NACWA’s 2023 conference in Sonoma on February 14, 2023.
EMWD Bird Tours Continue Through April
Perris, CA (February 2, 2023) — Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) invites you to join us for our popular and free bird walks at our San Jacinto Valley Wetlands.
The tours provide guests the opportunity to see some of the more than 120 species of birds that call the Wetlands home throughout the year, including during the migratory season. It is not uncommon for a Bald Eagle to be seen throughout the winter months.
EMWD Posts Unclaimed Money List
Perris, CA (January 10, 2023) — Current and former customers of Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) may be entitled to unclaimed money. Each year, EMWD posts a list of unclaimed monies, which are typically refunds associated with the closing of water accounts, water efficiency rebates or other fees.
Phil Paule Reelected as EMWD Board President
Perris, CA (January 4, 2023) — Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) Board Director Phil Paule was reelected as EMWD’s Board President for the 2023-24 term during today’s Board of Directors meeting.
Paule has served as EMWD’s Board President for the 2021-22 calendar years and was nominated by his peers on the Board to serve another two-year term. He represents French Valley, Winchester, and portions of Murrieta as the representative for District 1. Paule has served on EMWD’s Board since 2007.
EMWD Achieves Reliability Through Proactive Infrastructure Investments
Perris, CA (December 29, 2022) — Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) has taken a forward-thinking and equitable approach to providing reliable and safe services to the nearly 1 million people who rely on our infrastructure at their homes and businesses each day.
As the regional water, wastewater and recycled water provider to a growing region in western Riverside County, EMWD proactively invests in its infrastructure so that it may be prepared to meet the current and anticipated needs of its service area.
EMWD Secures $17.5M Federal Grant for Purified Water Replenishment Program
Perris, CA (December 27, 2022) — Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) has received an additional $17.5 million in funding from the United States Bureau of Reclamation to advance its Purified Water Replenishment (PWR) program.
The new funding authorization, which is part of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, brings the total federal funding for the project to $27.5 million, making it the largest federal grant funding total EMWD has received for a single project.
EMWD’s Randy Record Announces Retirement from Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Board of Directors
Perris, CA (December 21, 2022) — Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) Board Vice President Randy Record, who is widely considered one of the leading water policy makers in California, announced today that he would be stepping down from his position as EMWD’s representative on The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) Board of Directors.
The move is effective December 31, 2022. Record will remain on EMWD’s Board of Directors.
EMWD Employees Proudly Give Back to the Community
Perris, CA (December 20, 2022) — Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) employees this holiday season are continuing their year-long commitment to giving back to their community through charity work and donations.
EMWD employees donate to a wide range of causes throughout the year, including through automatic payroll deductions to local and industry efforts. The largest single donation effort in 2022 was Water For People, which helps disadvantaged communities throughout the world receive the infrastructure necessary to provide safe water and sanitation services.
Menifee Student Honored For Award Winning Artwork
Perris, CA (December 12, 2022) — A Menifee kindergartner has an important message to help save water.
Kimber Atchison, who attends Mesa View Elementary School in the Romoland School District, produced the winning entry for Eastern Municipal Water District’s (EMWD) 2021-22 annual Poster Contest, which will be included in The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s (MWD) 2023 Water Is Life Calendar.
Atchison’s artwork included a girl making sure she turned the water off in her sink with the words “It is good to turn the faucet off.”
EMWD Celebrates America Recycles Day With Recycled Water Commitments
Perris, CA (November 15, 2022) — Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) is celebrating America Recycles Day by proudly doing its part as an industry leader in recycled water.
As California and the West continue to face historic water supply challenges, there has never been a more important time for water agencies to beneficially use 100 percent of their recycled water supplies. EMWD has done so for many years, as recycled water accounts for more than one-third of the water used in EMWD’s service area.
EMWD Encourages Customers to be Sewer Smart This Holiday Season
Perris, CA (November 9, 2022) — Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) encourages customers to help protect their wastewater collection system this holiday season by ensuring they do not place items down the drain that can cause costly blockages and damages.
With families gathering for large meals – including those such as turkey and roast beef that produce large amounts of fats, oils, and grease (FOG) – EMWD is asking its customers to be Sewer Smart and properly dispose of FOG.
EMWD Warns of Scams Seeking Payment Through Wire Transfers
Perris, CA (October 31, 2022) — Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) is urging its customers to be diligent after several customers have reported scam calls that have sought payments from individuals posing as EMWD employees.
EMWD Encourages Customers to Imagine a Day Without Water
Perris, CA (October 17, 2022) — With reservoirs throughout the western United States at record lows and California experiencing the longest dry streak in recorded history, Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) asks its customers to take a few moments today to think: What would happen if there was no water?
October 20, 2022 is “Imagine a Day Without Water” Day, and while EMWD has worked hard to ensure reliability for its customers, it is also an opportune time to ponder what would happen if our taps ran dry.
EMWD Recognized as Forward-Thinking Utility
Perris, CA (October 12, 2022) —Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) has been recognized as a “Utility of the Future Today” for its industry-leading classroom education program that engages students throughout the region.
EMWD to Host Free Purified Water Replenishment Open House Event
Perris, CA (September 22, 2022) — Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) is inviting its customers to a free Open House event on October 15, 2022, where customers can come learn about EMWD’s planned Purified Water Replenishment (PWR) program.
The event will run from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. at EMWD’s main office, located at 2270 Trumble Road, Perris, CA.
EMWD Issues Cancelation of Boil Water Notice for Areas Affected by Fairview Fire in Hemet
Perris, CA (September 8, 2022) — On September 6, 2022, Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) notified residents in approximately 50 homes on Polly Butte Road and the area east of 41477 Gibbel Road in east Hemet, California (see map below) of the need to boil/disinfect all tap water used for drinking and cooking purposes.
EMWD Issues Boil Water Notice for Areas Affected by Fairview Fire in Hemet
Perris, CA (September 6, 2022) — Due to the Fairview fire which began on September 5, 2022 within the Hemet area of Eastern Municipal Water District’s (EMWD) service area, the State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, the Riverside County Public Health Department, and EMWD are advising residents of fire affected areas in east Hemet, CA to only use boiled tap water or bottled water for drinking and cooking purposes as a safety precaution to avoid stomach or intestinal illness.
EMWD Recognized for Excellence in Landscapes for Living Program
Perris, CA (September 1, 2022) — Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) was recognized this week by the California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO) for outstanding work with its Landscapes for Living program.
EMWD was recognized with an Excellence in Public Information and Communications (EPIC) Award for its Landscapes for Living microsite, earning top honors in the category. EMWD also received an Award of Distinction in the “Communications and Marking Plan – Consultant Supported” category.
EMWD Program Awarded $10M Grant Through Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Perris, CA (August 19, 2022) — Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) has received a significant financial investment from the United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) to support its Purified Water Replenishment program through the recently enacted Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Biden.
EMWD, which has long been one of the nation’s leading agencies in securing state and federal grants, received a $10 million appropriation for its planned project in San Jacinto, Calif.