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Press Releases

Overview w/ Video

Press Releases

This is the place to find the latest news releases from EMWD. 

Press Release

EMWD Encourages Customers to be Sewer Smart This Holiday Season

Holiday turkey with grease

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.

Press Release

EMWD Encourages Customers to Imagine a Day Without Water

Drought Photo

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.

Press Release

EMWD Recognized as Forward-Thinking Utility

EMWD staff lead a tour for students at the Hemet Water Filtration Plant

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.

Press Release

EMWD to Host Free Purified Water Replenishment Open House Event

EMWD Purified Water Replenishment Open House Flyer

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.

Press Release

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.

Press Release

EMWD Recognized for Excellence in Landscapes for Living Program

Four CAPIO Award Winners standing side by side

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.

Press Release

EMWD Program Awarded $10M Grant Through Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Mountain Avenue West EMWD building with mountains in the background

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.

Press Release

EMWD Committed to Working With CII Customers To Save Water

A sign that says: Doing Our Part to Save Water. We are in a serious drought..

Perris, CA (August 16, 2022) — Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) wants to be a partner with its Commercial, Industrial and Institutional (CII) customers to help them do their part and reduce outdoor irrigation use during California’s ongoing drought.

The State Water Resources Control Board and EMWD have both recently adopted regulations prohibiting the irrigation of nonfunctional turf with potable water, with some exceptions – most notably if trees or perennial shrubs are on the same irrigation station as the nonfunctional turf.

Press Release

EMWD: Reusable Bottles a Key Back To School Supply

Three people holding water bottles at a water fill station.

Perris, CA (August 9, 2022) — As parents wrap up their back-to-school shopping, Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) encourages them to add a reusable water bottle to their school supply list.

EMWD has Water Bottle Fill Stations at 114 schools throughout its 558-square mile service area, allowing students to easily and safely refill their reusable bottles with clean and reliable tap water.

EMWD’s award-winning Water Bottle Fill Station program has helped save the equivalent of several hundred thousand disposable plastic bottles from entering landfills.

Press Release

EMWD to Expand Recycled Water Infrastructure in French Valley

Installation of Phase I of the French Valley Recycled Water Pipeline was completed in 2018. Phase II work will begin this year.

Perris, CA (August 3, 2022) — Eastern Municipal Water District’s (EMWD) Board of Directors today approved the award of a $4.4 million contract to construct Phase II of the French Valley Recycled Water Pipeline, which will greatly expand recycled water service in the French Valley community.

Press Release

EMWD Celebrates National Water Quality Month

Perris, CA (August 1, 2022) — Eastern Municipal Water District is proud to celebrate National Water Quality Month throughout August by reaffirming its longstanding commitment to its customers to deliver clean and reliable tap water.

Press Release

Smart Irrigation Month Provides Opportunities for Lasting Changes

Perris, CA (July 7, 2022) — As California’s drought continues throughout the hot summer months, there has never been a more important time to practice proper irrigation techniques to maximize critical water supplies.

That is why Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) is celebrating Smart Irrigation Month throughout the month of July, where we are helping to highlight the importance of efficient irrigation and proper landscape choices so customers may do their part to reduce water use now and for years to come.

Press Release

EMWD Receives $8M in Federal Funds for Trio of Key Projects

Big Pipe Infrastructure

Perris, CA (June 30, 2022) — Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) this week received notice that approximately $8 million in federal funding is being advanced to support a trio of critical infrastructure projects that will improve groundwater quality and supply and provide safe and reliable wastewater service throughout its service area.

The Fiscal Year 2023 Interior-EPA Appropriations Bill released last week will help fund those projects through the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s State and Tribal Assistance Grants Program.

Press Release

EMWD Dedicates Third Desalination Facility

Several people gathering to turn on a large water valve.

Perris, CA (June 23, 2022) — Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) today celebrated the opening of its new groundwater desalination facility, which will provide additional local water supply reliability to its service area for future generations.

The Perris II Desalination Facility is EMWD’s third groundwater desalter and will provide enough water for more than 15,000 households each year through its reverse osmosis treatment process. The facility is located in Menifee, adjacent to the existing Menifee I and Perris I desalters.

Press Release

EMWD Publishes Annual Water Quality Report

Consumer Confidence Report book cover

Perris, CA (June 15, 2022) — Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) has released its annual Consumer Confidence Report, which provides science-based information about EMWD’s water quality and sources from the 2021 calendar year.

EMWD has again met and surpassed all state and federal drinking water standards set forth by the State Water Resources Control Board and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Press Release

Riverside County Provides ARPA Funding for Trio of EMWD Projects

View through a large water pipe.

Perris, CA (May 23, 2022) — The Riverside County Board of Supervisors recently approved more than $10.5 million in federal funding for three Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) projects that will improve water and wastewater services in the region.

The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the funding expenditure, which was backed by County Supervisor Chuck Washington. All three projects are in District 3, which Washington represents.

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding will help support the following projects by EMWD:

Press Release

EMWD Celebrates Drinking Water Week with High-Quality Water Supplies

Two young children drinking water and giving the thumbs up sign.

Perris, CA (May 4, 2022) — Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) is celebrating Drinking Water Week by celebrating its most vital service: Delivering safe and reliable drinking water to nearly one million people in its service area.

Drinking Water Week was created by the American Water Works Association to highlight the importance of clean and reliable water service throughout the country.