(Rowland Heights, Calif., March 11, 2013) – Construction crews began the installation of a 12-inch pipeline that will carry locally- sourced water into Rowland Water District (RWD) for the first time since its incorporation in 1953. This joint regional effort will help the district cut back its reliance on Metropolitan Water District for the potable water it provides to its customers. The water will soon be delivered to RWD by La Habra Heights County Water District (LHHCWD) and Orchard Dale Water District (ODWD). Board members from RWD, LHHCWD, ODWD, and Walnut Water District (a neighboring district) commemorated the groundbreaking with a ceremony on Friday, March 1.
“Planning and cooperation has allowed Rowland Water District to bring local water into our system for the first time in our history,” said Ken Deck, General Manager of Rowland Water District. “The high quality water we will receive once this pipeline is complete will cost less than water from Metropolitan Water District, currently our sole provider. It also increases our reliability during emergencies, since the water will be coming in from a new direction.”
For RWD to receive the water a .8 mile pipeline was designed and is under construction on Old Fullerton Road from East Road in La Habra Heights to Harbor Boulevard in Rowland Heights. Brkich Construction is installing the pipeline, which will cost approximately $750,000, and will take about four to six weeks to construct. Once finished, RWD could receive as much as 2000 acre feet (about 652 million gallons) of groundwater each year from this new source, which is about 10 percent of its annual supply.
The Water Production and Delivery Agreement has enhanced RWD’s water supply reliability and reduced the impacts of rising imported water costs. RWD anticipates that it will save approximately $150-$300 per acre foot for water obtained through this Agreement. Water purchased from Metropolitan Water District, which transports water from the State Water Project in northern California to MWD’s Weymouth Treatment Facility in La Verne and from Three Valleys Miramar Treatment Facility in Claremont
“This collaborative agreement is part of regional efforts to connect southern California agencies, and reduce dependence on far away, ever more expensive supplies. Leadership at our district, Rowland Water District and Orchard Dale Water district are proud to be a part of securing the region’s water supply,” said Michael Gualtieri, General Manager of LHHCWD.
LHHCWD will collect about $100,000 each year from RWD in wheeling fees, which will help offset facility operation and maintenance costs. The 20-year Water Production and Delivery Agreement, which took approximately 20 months to complete, has provisions that give LHHCWD and ODWD first priority to pumping, transmission and storage. It also mandates minimum water reserves at LHHCWD that prevent reliability threats to its customers. After the agreement expires in 2033, it can be renewed in subsequent five-year periods.
During construction of the pipeline project, residents are urged to find alternative routes on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. During that time, the street will be open only for local and emergency access. For more information, contact Distribution Superintendent Mark Serna at Rowland Water District (562) 697-1726.