Coachella City Council
June 10, 2026

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1.3.3 Water Demands
Each agency’s chapter summarizes current water demand, reflecting the amount of water used by customers, and presents projected water use through 2050. These projections were developed considering variables including climate, population growth, and customer behaviors. Each agency’s chapter outlines the Demand Management Measures (DMMs) implemented to encourage efficient water use. Through these programs since 2010, the agencies have seen significant reductions in water use by customers and have complied with water use reduction targets set by the State.

1.3.4 Drought Risk
Each agency’s chapter presents a comparison of expected supplies and demands under future drought conditions. The agencies are committed to efficient water use and can implement their WSCPs to reduce demands as needed. However, the agencies anticipate being able to meet all demands through 2050, even through a near-term five-year dry period.

Thanks to the storage capacity of the groundwater basin, supplies are reliable from year to year because the agencies can pump enough groundwater to meet demands. In the longer term, reliability depends on the continued replenishment of the groundwater basin with imported water supplies. The agencies are working together to continue and expand replenishment programs.

1.3.5 Contingency Planning
If an extended drought or sudden event, for example an earthquake, impacted the agencies’ ability to replenish the groundwater basin or provide enough water to meet all customer needs, the WSCP may need to be implemented. Each agency’s WSCP defines six levels of shortage and outlines the actions that will be required of customers during each level. The six agencies aligned the actions in their plans as much as possible to maintain consistent requirements and messaging for customers throughout the Valley.

1.4 Preparation and Outreach
CWC §10620(d)(3), §10642, and §10621(b) requires agencies to perform outreach to cities and counties within their service area, the general public, and other interested parties during preparation of an UWMP.

Each of the RUWMP participating agencies held a public hearing in May or June 2026 where each agency’s governing board adopted the RUWMP. Members of the public were encouraged to get involved in development of the RUWMP and WSCPs through the RUWMP website (https://www.cvrwmg.org/uwmp/), stakeholder email lists, and social media posts. The details of each agency’s adoption are included in the individual agency chapters. The agencies received feedback from the community during public hearings for this RUWMP and the WSCPs.

Each agency made the draft plans available for public review and input, both on the RWUMP website and at their local offices. If the WSCPs need to be implemented during a water shortage, the agencies will evaluate how well they are working and consider making changes.

The CWC requires agencies to perform outreach to cities and counties within their service area, the general public, and other interested parties during preparation of an UWMP. In March 2026, formal notifications of RUWMP preparation were provided to the recipients identified in Table 1-1. Recipients were informed of the time and date for each agency’s public hearing to consider feedback. Each agency then held a public hearing in May or June 2026 where each agency’s governing board considered public comments and adopted the RUWMP and WSCPs. The details of each agency’s adoption are included in the individual agency chapters.

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Table 1-1. 2025 RUWMP Outreach Recipients
Type Recipient
City La Quinta
City Indio (City of Indio)
City Coachella (Coachella Water Authority)
City Palm Desert
City Cathedral City
City Indian Wells
City Rancho Mirage
City Palm Springs
City Desert Hot Springs
County County of Riverside Transportation and Land Management Agency - Planning Department County Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District County Riverside County Department of Environmental Health County Imperial County Planning and Development Services County Riverside County Department of Public Health
Tribal Cabazon Band of Mission Indians
Tribal Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians
Tribal Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians
Tribal Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians
Tribal Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians
Tribal Morongo Band of Mission Indians
Other Coachella Valley Resource Conservation District
Other Desert Valley Builders Association

1.5 Plan Type Identification
This RUWMP is the Coachella Valley RUWMP, a regional plan that also contains individual agency UWMPs as Chapters 4 – 9.

Table 1-2. Plan Identification
Select Type of Plan Name of Regional Alliance or RUWMP
☒ Individual UWMP
☐ Water Supplier is also a member of a SB X7-7 Regional Alliance
☒ Regional Urban Water Management Plan (RUWMP) Coachella Valley RUWMP

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Chapter 2 Agency Descriptions
The Coachella Valley lies in the northwestern portion of a great valley, the Salton Trough, which extends from the Gulf of California in Mexico northwesterly to the Cabazon area. This area lies primarily in Riverside County but also extends into small portions of northeastern San Diego County and northwestern Imperial County. The Colorado River enters this trough, and its delta has formed a barrier between the Gulf of California and the Coachella Valley. The Coachella Valley is ringed with mountains on three sides. On the west and north sides are the Santa Rosa, San Jacinto, and San Bernardino Mountains, which rise more than 10,000 feet above mean sea level (ft msl). To the northeast and east are the Little San Bernardino Mountains, which attain elevations of 5,500 ft msl. The Whitewater River and its tributaries, including the San Gorgonio River, Mission Creek, and Little and Big Morongo Creeks, and Box Canyon Wash, drain the major portion of the Valley.

The Coachella Valley is drained primarily by the Whitewater River, which conveys flows southwest along its natural alignment to the mid-Valley area where it converts to the Coachella Valley Stormwater Channel (CVSC). The CVSC is a man-made channel that conveys flows downstream of Point Happy to the Salton Sea. The Coachella Valley is characterized by low precipitation and high summer daytime temperatures.

Water bodies in the Coachella Valley include the Salton Sea; Lake Cahuilla, a surface water reservoir which stores Colorado River water for agricultural and irrigation use; a collection of small ephemeral streams and creeks; and Whitewater River, an ephemeral stream in the western Coachella Valley.

Chapter 2 provides background information about the agencies participating in this RUWMP and other agencies involved in water resource planning in the Coachella Valley.

2.1 Agencies Participating in RUWMP
Background information on the six participating agencies is provided in the following sections. The jurisdictional service areas of the six participating agencies are shown in Figure 2-1.

2.1.1 Coachella Valley Water District
CVWD was formed in 1918 under the County Water District Act provisions of the California Water Code (CWC). In 1937, CVWD absorbed the responsibilities of the Coachella Valley Stormwater District that had been formed in 1915. CVWD now encompasses approximately 640,000 acres, mostly within Riverside County, also extending into northwestern Imperial County and northeastern San Diego County. CVWD is governed by a board of five directors, elected by district voters for a four-year term. Each director resides in and represents one of the district’s five divisions and is elected by voters from that same division.

CVWD is a Colorado River water importer and a California State Water Project (SWP) contractor, bringing imported water supplies into the Valley for direct use and replenishment. The water-related services provided by CVWD include:
• Domestic water delivery – Delivery of approximately 123,000 AF for 110,000 service connections across two domestic water service areas.
• Irrigation water delivery and agricultural drainage – Serving agricultural, golf, and municipal irrigation users with non-potable Colorado River water. • Wastewater collection, treatment, and recycling – Collection of 19,000 AFY of wastewater for treatment at five water reclamation plants (WRPs). WRP-7 and WRP-10 provide tertiary treatment and deliver a blend of non-potable Colorado River water and recycled water to adjacent irrigation customers.
• Stormwater and flood protection – Regional flood control provided by Whitewater River/CVSC along with 173 miles of stormwater protection channels. • Groundwater replenishment facilities (GRFs) – Recharge capacity for Colorado River and SWP exchange water at the three GRFs include: 25,000 AF at Palm Desert GRF, 40,000 AF at Thomas E. Levy GRF, 511,000 AF at Whitewater River GRF, and 40,000 AF at Mission Creek GRF.

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2.1.2 Coachella Water Authority
The City of Coachella was incorporated in 1946 and encompasses approximately 32 square miles in the eastern Coachella Valley. The City’s sphere of influence encompasses 53 square miles. The City is governed by a five-member City Council. The water-related services provided by the City include domestic water delivery, wastewater collection and treatment, and local drainage control.

The Coachella Water Authority (CWA) is the water division of the City of Coachella. CWA provides potable water service in the City of Coachella, using groundwater for approximately 7,500 AF delivered to 9,600 service connections.

The Coachella Sanitary District (CSD) is the sanitation division of the City of Coachella. CSD operates a

4.5 million gallons per day (MGD) design capacity wastewater treatment facility. Currently, CSD discharges treated wastewater to the CVSC. In 2020, CSD participated in a regional feasibility study to determine the best available and most cost-effective opportunity to implement a recycled water program and has plans to develop a water reuse system in the future.

CWA and CSD are wholly owned component units of the City of Coachella with the Boards of Directors comprised of the five members currently elected to the Coachella City Council.

2.1.3 Desert Water Agency
DWA is a public agency of the State of California and was formed in 1961 to import water from the SWP in an effort to provide a reliable local water supply. In 1968, DWA entered the retail water business by purchasing the Cathedral City Water Company and Palm Springs Water Company. DWA covers an area of about 325 square miles, including portions of unincorporated Riverside County, Cathedral City, and Palm Springs. DWA is governed by a five-member Board of Directors, elected by residents within DWA boundaries.

DWA manages a domestic water system, a wastewater collection system, a recycled water system, and groundwater recharge facilities. As a SWP Contractor, DWA co-owns and operates the Whitewater GRF and Mission Creek GRF with CVWD. DWA’s potable water system delivers a combination of local surface water from Snow, Falls, and Chino Creeks and groundwater for approximately 34,000 AFY across 24,000 service connections throughout 425 miles of pipeline. In 1988, DWA opened its DWA WRP which treats secondary wastewater from the Palm Springs WWTP to tertiary levels for distribution to local irrigation customers. Additionally, DWA produces electrical power with two hydroelectric generating plants and two photovoltaic solar installations.

2.1.4 City of Indio
Incorporated in 1930, the City of Indio was the first city in the Coachella Valley. The City encompasses approximately 38 square miles with a sphere of influence that adds approximately 22 square miles north of Interstate 10. The City is governed by a five-member City Council. The water-related services provided by the City include domestic water delivery and local drainage control. Wastewater collection and treatment within the City is provided by Valley Sanitary District.

The City of Indio’s water department is responsible for ensuring a safe and reliable means of water supply to City residents within its water department’s service area. The department operates under the direction of the City’s executive leadership and City Council. As one of the fastest growing municipal utilities in the Coachella Valley, Indio uses groundwater for approximately 20,000 AF delivered to 24,000 service connections.

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Figure 2-1 Water Agencies Participating in Coachella Valley RUWMP

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2.1.5 Mission Springs Water District
MSWD is a public water and wastewater agency organized under the County Water District Law, through the California Water Code. MSWD began as a mutual water company in the late 1940s. By 1953, it had evolved into an incorporated entity, the Desert Hot Springs County Water District. Its name was changed to Mission Springs Water District in 1987. MSWD’s service area consists of 135 square miles, including the City of Desert Hot Springs, a portion of the City of Palm Springs, and ten smaller communities in Riverside County, including North Palm Springs, West Palm Springs Village and Palm Springs Crest. MSWD is governed by a five-member board, elected from five separate divisions, for a four-year term.

MSWD provides water delivery of approximately 7,900 AFY for 13,500 service connections through three independent production and distribution systems. MSWD also provides wastewater collection and treatment services to more than 9,200 customers through two wastewater collection and treatment systems.

In 2024, MSWD completed the Nancy Wright Regional Water Reclamation Facility (WRF), a 1.5 MGD plant that expands treatment capacity and supports future recycled water use. MSWD also operates a 1.0 megawatt solar facility to help offset approximately 25% of energy consumption for its water and wastewater operations.

2.1.6 Myoma Dunes Mutual Water Company
MDMWC is a retail urban water supplier that was established in 1953 to provide potable water service to the community of Bermuda Dunes. MDMWC has grown over the years, and it now delivers approximately 3,900 AFY of groundwater to more than 2,500 service connections in the Bermuda Dunes area. MDMWC is a mutual water company that is governed by a four-member Board of Directors.

2.2 Other Agencies and Entities
Several other individual agencies and coalitions are active in regional water management activities within the Valley, as described below.

2.2.1 Valley Sanitary District
Valley Sanitary District (VSD) is a California Special District governed by a locally elected Board of Directors. It was founded in 1925 and is governed by the California Sanitary Act of 1923. Although not a water supplier, VSD provides wastewater collection and treatment services for the City of Indio and most customers in Indio’s water service area. Currently, VSD discharges treated wastewater to the CVSC and provides a small amount of treated wastewater for on-site irrigation.

Indio is evaluating the potential to expand recycled water use in partnership with VSD.

2.2.2 Agua Caliente Water Authority
The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians has established the Agua Caliente Water Authority (ACWA) to manage and regulate the Tribe's groundwater. ACWA has established a system of groundwater permits and fees and engages in groundwater monitoring activities.

2.2.3 City of Palm Springs
The City of Palm Springs operates a wastewater treatment plant that treats wastewater collected within the city. Approximately 75 percent of the treated wastewater is sent to the DWA WRP for further treatment and reuse. The balance is discharged onsite to unlined percolation ponds near the confluence of Palm Canyon Wash and Whitewater River.

2.2.4 Coachella Valley Regional Water Management Group
The Coachella Valley Regional Water Management Group (CVRWMG) is a collaborative effort between CVWD, CWA, DWA, Indio, MSWD, and VSD to implement an Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Plan to address the water resources management in the Coachella Valley. Following formation of

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the CVRWMG and formal recognition of the Coachella Valley IRWM Region (Region) by DWR, the CVRWMG developed the first Coachella Valley IRWM Plan in 2010. The CVRWMG prepared updates to the IRWM Plan in 2014 and 2018. The 2018 IRWM Plan also addressed the requirements for a Stormwater Resources (SWR) Plan and therefore is referred to as the 2018 IRWM/SWR Plan. The IRWM/SWR Plan presents an integrated regional approach for addressing water management issues through a process that identifies and implements projects that yield combined benefits for water supplies, water quality, and natural resources. See the CVRWMG website (https://www.cvrwmg.org/) for more information.

2.2.5 Indio Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Agencies Four water agencies located within the Indio Subbasin of the Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin—CVWD, CWA, DWA, and Indio—are each exclusive Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) that oversee and manage groundwater in their respective service areas. The agencies collaborated to submit the 2010 CVWMP Update as an alternative to a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) under SGMA. The 2010 CVWMP Update was approved by DWR as a functionally equivalent alternative to a GSP in July 2019.

These agencies then developed the 2022 Indio Subbasin Alternative Plan Update, which was approved by DWR in June 2024. The 2027 Indio Subbasin Alternative Plan Update is underway and addresses updated demand forecasting, scenario modeling, and evaluation of compliance with local groundwater sustainability criteria1.

2.2.6 Mission Creek Subbasin Management Committee
The three water agencies located within the Mission Creek Subbasin of the Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin—comprised of CVWD, DWA, and MSWD—have formed a Management Committee. CVWD and DWA are each exclusive GSAs that oversee and manage groundwater in their respective service areas.

The three agencies collaborated to submit the 2013 MC/GH WMP as an alternative to a GSP under SGMA.

The 2013 MC/GH WMP was approved by DWR as a functionally-equivalent alternative to a GSP in July 2019. These agencies then developed the 2022 Mission Creek Subbasin Alternative Plan Update, which was approved by DWR in June 2024. The 2027 Mission Creek Subbasin Alternative Plan Update is underway and addresses updated demand forecasting, scenario modeling, and evaluation of compliance with local groundwater sustainability criteria2.
1 For information on the 2027 Indio Subbasin Alternative Plan Update, see https://www.indiosubbasinsgma.org 2 For information on the 2027 Mission Creek Subbasin Alternative Plan Update, see http://www.missioncreeksubbasinsgma.org

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Chapter 3 Regional Sources of Supply
Each of the six water suppliers has its own portfolio of water sources that it uses to meet demands. Available supplies are grouped into the principal categories listed below and are described in the following sections:
• Groundwater from the Indio and Mission Creek Subbasins • Colorado River water imported through the Coachella Canal • State Water Project water exchanged for Colorado River water delivered by the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) of Southern California through the Colorado River Aqueduct • Local surface water from Snow, Falls, and Chino Creeks • Recycled water from CVWD and DWA WRPs

3.1 Groundwater
Groundwater is the principal source of municipal water supply in the Coachella Valley. The Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin (DWR Basin No. 7-21) encompasses the entire floor of the Coachella Valley and consists of four subbasins as identified in DWR Bulletin 1183:
• Indio
• Mission Creek
• Desert Hot Springs
• San Gorgonio Pass
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) recognizes a fault-bounded portion of the western end of the Indio Subbasin as the Garnet Hill Subbasin4. This report refers to the area as the Garnet Hill Subarea of the Indio Subbasin, consistent with the designation in DWR Bulletin 118. The water suppliers in this RUWMP have groundwater wells that produce water from the Indio Subbasin, including the Garnet Hill Subarea, the Mission Creek Subbasin, and the San Gorgonio Pass Subbasin. Water from the Desert Hot Springs Subbasin is higher in temperature and salinity and is not used for potable purposes.

3.1.1 Basin Description
The Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin (Basin), as described in DWR Bulletin 118, is bounded on the east by the non-water-bearing crystalline rocks of the San Bernardino and Little San Bernardino Mountains, and on the west by the crystalline rocks of the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains. The trace of the Banning fault on the north side of San Gorgonio Pass forms the upper boundary. At the west end of the San Gorgonio Pass, between Beaumont and Banning, the basin boundary is defined by a surface drainage divide separating the Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin from the Beaumont Groundwater Basin of the Upper Santa Ana drainage area.

The southern boundary is formed primarily by the watershed of the Mecca Hills and by the northwest shoreline of the Salton Sea running between the Santa Rosa Mountains and Mortmar. Between the Salton Sea and Travertine Rock, at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains, the lower boundary coincides with the Riverside-Imperial County Line. South of the southern boundary, at Mortmar and at Travertine Rock, the subsurface materials are predominantly fine grained and low in permeability; although groundwater is present, it is not readily extractable. A zone of transition exists at these boundaries; to the north, the subsurface materials are coarser and provide groundwater more readily.

Precipitation on the Basin floor is typically less than five inches per year. Natural recharge to the Basin is primarily from the recharge of mountain-front runoff. The Whitewater River is the major drainage course in the Basin. Perennial flows exist in the portion of this drainage within the San Bernardino Mountains. Along 3 The subbasin is identified as the Indio Subbasin in DWR Bulletin 118. However, the subbasin is identified as the Whitewater River Subbasin by the USGS. This report identifies the subbasin as the Indio Subbasin. 4 This report identifies fault boundaries in the Coachella Valley Tyley, S.J. (1974), Analog Model Study of the Ground-Water Basin of the Upper Coachella Valley, California (USGS Water-Supply Paper 2027).

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the Coachella Valley floor, these perennial flows become ephemeral in the northern reach of the drainage, referred to as the Whitewater River Stormwater Channel (WRSC). Recharge to the Basin occurs in the Whitewater River and other tributaries to the Basin, in the WRSC, at constructed recharge facilities, through percolation of irrigation return flows, and as subsurface inflow from the surrounding mountains and groundwater basins (CVWD 2025a).

In 1964, DWR estimated that the Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin contained a total of approximately

39.2 million acre-feet (AF) of water in the first 1,000 feet below the ground surface, much of which originated as runoff from the surrounding mountains. Of this total, approximately 29.8 million acre-feet (MAF) was stored in the Indio Subbasin. However, the amount of water in the Basin decreased over the years because groundwater pumping to serve urban, rural, and agricultural development in the Coachella Valley withdrew water at a rate exceeding the Basin’s recharge. Since the late 2000’s, the Basin has seen significant groundwater level increases relative to historic lows. These increases are the result of the high volumes of direct replenishment that has occurred at GRFs, increased conservation and water use efficiency, and projects that serve imported water for irrigation to reduce groundwater pumping. Replenishment and conservation have also resulted in increasing water levels in the Mission Creek Subbasin.

Although there is interflow of groundwater throughout the groundwater basin, fault barriers, constrictions in the Basin profile, and areas of low permeability limit and control movement of groundwater. Based on these factors, the Basin has been divided into subbasins and subareas as described by DWR in 1964 and the USGS in 1971. The boundaries between subbasins are generally based upon faults that are effective barriers to the lateral movement of groundwater. Minor subareas have also been delineated, based on one or more of the following geologic or hydrologic characteristics: type of water bearing formations, water quality, areas of confined groundwater, forebay areas, groundwater flow divides, and surface drainage divides.

Four primary subbasins include Indio, Mission Creek, Desert Hot Springs, and San Gorgonio Pass. The subbasins, with their groundwater storage reservoirs, are defined without regard to water quantity or quality.

They delineate areas underlain by formations which readily yield the stored water through water wells and offer natural reservoirs for the regulating water supply. The groundwater subbasins are shown in Figure 3-1.

3.1.1.1 Indio Subbasin
The Indio Subbasin underlies a major portion of the Coachella Valley floor and encompasses approximately 400 square miles. Beginning approximately one mile west of the junction of State Highway 111 and Interstate 10, the Indio Subbasin extends southeast approximately 70 miles to the Salton Sea. The Indio Subbasin underlies the cities of Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio, and Coachella, and the unincorporated communities of Thousand Palms, Thermal, Bermuda Dunes, Oasis, and Mecca.

The Indio Subbasin is divided for management into the West Valley and the East Valley. The East Valley lies southeast of a line generally extending from Point Happy (a rocky outcrop of the Santa Rosa Mountains near Washington Street and Highway 111) northeast to the Indio Hills near Jefferson Street, and the West Valley is northwest of this line.

Generally, the West Valley, which includes the cities of Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells and Palm Desert, has a predominately resort/recreation-based economy that relies on groundwater as its principal water source. In the West Valley portion of the Indio Subbasin, underlying sediment profiles consist of coarse sand and gravel with minor amounts of clay. The aquifer in this area is unconfined, allowing water that is applied on the ground surface to percolate directly into the underlying aquifer system, making recharge simple and efficient.

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Figure 3-1. Coachella Valley Groundwater Subbasins and Groundwater Replenishment Facilities

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CVWD and DWA collaborate to provide groundwater replenishment in the West Valley. Recharge activities with SWP exchange water commenced in 1973 at the Whitewater River GRF, north of Palm Springs.

Recharge volumes at this location vary widely with the availability of SWP exchange water, delivered by MWD via the Colorado River Aqueduct. DWR allocates SWP annually based on hydrologic conditions within the Feather River and Sacramento-San Joaquin River watersheds, the source for SWP water. Groundwater levels in the Indio Subbasin have increased or stabilized since recharge commenced. Although some areas of the mid-valley are still experiencing a decline in groundwater levels, the rates of decline have been generally decreasing, and many areas have seen increases.

The East Valley includes the cities of Coachella, Indio and La Quinta and the communities of Bermuda Dunes, Mecca, and Thermal. Much of the East Valley has an agricultural-based economy utilizing groundwater and Colorado River water imported through the Coachella Canal. Some portions of the East Valley are underlain by several impervious clay layers (an aquitard) that impedes groundwater recharge.

From about Indio southeasterly to the Salton Sea, the Subbasin contains increasingly thick layers of silt and clay, especially in the shallower portions. These silt and clay layers, which are remnants of ancient lakebed deposits, impede the percolation of water applied for irrigation and limit groundwater replenishment opportunities to the westerly fringe in this area of the subbasin.

The historical fluctuations of groundwater levels in the East Valley of the Indio Subbasin indicate a steady decline prior to 1949. With the importation of Colorado River water from the Coachella Canal after 1949, the demand on the groundwater basin declined in the East Valley and groundwater levels rose sharply.

Water levels in the deeper aquifers of the East Valley rose from 1950 to about 1980. However, in the early 1980s, water levels in the East Valley began declining again, at least partly due to increasing urbanization and groundwater usage. In 2009, CVWD implemented large-scale replenishment activities in the East Valley at the Thomas E. Levy GRF that have resulted in increasing water levels. Artesian conditions have been observed in wells near Thomas E. Levy GRF, signaling a return to historical conditions. Recharge activities began at Palm Desert GRF in early 2019.

Conservation and source substitution with Canal water and recycled water are also ongoing strategies to manage groundwater levels throughout the Indio Subbasin.

3.1.1.2 Mission Creek Subbasin
Water-bearing materials underlying the Mission Creek upland comprise the 76-square mile Mission Creek Subbasin. The Subbasin is bounded on the south by the Banning fault and on the north and east by the Mission Creek fault. The Subbasin is bordered on the west by non-water bearing rocks of the San Bernardino Mountains. To the southeast are the Indio Hills, which consist of the semi water-bearing Palm Springs Formation.

Both the Mission Creek fault and the Banning fault are effective barriers to groundwater movement, as evidenced by offset water levels, fault springs, and changes in vegetation. The wells drilled in this Subbasin pass through unconsolidated recent alluvium (sands and gravels forming the uppermost geologic formation in the subbasin) and semi-consolidated and interbedded sands, gravels and silts. Although these Pleistocene deposits are the main source of water, water also occurs in recent alluvium where the water table is sufficiently shallow.

The Mission Creek Subbasin is considered an unconfined aquifer with a saturated thickness of 1,200 feet or more and an estimated total storage capacity on the order of 2.6 MAF. The Subbasin is naturally recharged by surface and subsurface flow from the Mission Creek, Dry, and Big Morongo Washes, the Painted Hills, and surrounding mountain drainages. Irrigation return flows and discharges from municipal and individual subsurface wastewater disposal systems also contribute to recharge.

Due to overdraft conditions in the Mission Creek Subbasin, CVWD and DWA began construction of facilities to replenish groundwater with imported SWP exchange water, delivered by MWD via the Colorado River Aqueduct. The Mission Creek GRF was completed in June 2002 and in December 2002, DWA and CVWD began replenishment activities in the Mission Creek Subbasin. The current replenishment program is effectively increasing water levels throughout most of the Subbasin.

CVWD, DWA, and MSWD jointly developed the 2013 MC/GH WMP pursuant to a 2004 settlement agreement. This agreement and the 2003 Mission Creek Groundwater Replenishment Agreement between

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CVWD and DWA (amended in 2014) specify that the available SWP supply will be allocated between the Mission Creek Subbasin and West Valley of the Indio Subbasin in proportion to the amount of groundwater produced or surface water diverted from the respective management areas during the preceding year.

3.1.1.3 Desert Hot Springs Subbasin
The Desert Hot Springs Subbasin is bounded on the north by the Little San Bernardino Mountains and to the south by the Mission Creek and San Andreas faults. The San Andreas fault separates the Desert Hot Springs Subbasin from the Indio Subbasin and serves as an effective barrier to groundwater flow. Due to poor quality and low groundwater yields, all potable water demand for development within the Subbasin is supplied by wells in the Mission Creek Subbasin. However, wells in the Miracle Hill area produce geothermally heated groundwater that supplies spa resorts in Desert Hot Springs. Private wells in the Fargo Canyon Subarea have historically been used for agricultural irrigation.

3.1.1.4 Garnet Hill Subarea
The area between the Garnet Hill fault and the Banning fault, named the Garnet Hill Subarea of the Indio Subbasin, was considered a distinct subbasin by the USGS because of the effectiveness of the Banning and Garnet Hill faults as barriers to groundwater movement. The area is bounded on the north by the Banning fault, on the south by the Garnet Hill fault, and on the east and west by non-water to semi-water bearing rocks. DWR considers the area to be part of the Indio Subbasin.

MSWD constructed Well 33 in the Garnet Hill Subarea with production since 2007. MSWD, CVWD, and DWA jointly developed the 2013 MC/GH WMP that included this subarea. For SGMA compliance, the area is considered to be part of the Indio Subbasin. However, the 2022 and 2027 Mission Creek and Indio Subbasin Alternative Plan Updates both address the Garnet Hill Subarea, sharing data and management actions. Currently, CVWD includes a portion of the Garnet Hill Subarea in its West Whitewater Area of Benefit replenishment assessment program. Separately, DWA has a replenishment assessment program in its portion of the Garnet Hill Subarea.

3.1.1.5 San Gorgonio Pass Subbasin
A portion of the MSWD western service area and DWA jurisdictional area is underlain by the San Gorgonio Pass Subbasin, which is the westernmost subbasin in the Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin. This Subbasin is bounded on the north by the San Bernardino Mountains and by semi-permeable rocks, and on the south by the San Jacinto Mountains. A surface drainage divide between the Colorado River and South Coastal Hydrologic Study Areas bounds the subbasin on the west. The eastern boundary is formed by a bedrock constriction that creates a groundwater cascade into the Indio Subbasin.

The San Gorgonio Pass Subbasin is subdivided into a series of storage units that include the Banning Bench, Banning, Beaumont, and Cabazon storage units. The Cabazon storage unit is located near the western MSWD boundary. The Cabazon storage unit, which encompasses approximately 11 square miles, is recharged naturally with runoff from the adjacent San Jacinto and San Bernardino Mountains. MSWD operates four wells in the Cabazon storage unit. Other groundwater users in the Cabazon storage unit include Desert Hills Premium Outlets, Morongo Band of Mission Indians, and Cabazon Water District.

3.1.2 Groundwater Management
Historically, groundwater overdraft was a concern for much of the Coachella Valley. CVWD and DWA jointly operate GRFs in the West Valley of the Indio Subbasin and in the Mission Creek Subbasin, and CVWD operates GRFs in the East Valley of the Indio Subbasin. These programs have had a significant beneficial effect on groundwater overdraft. To recover the cost of replenishment activities, a Replenishment Assessment Charge (RAC) is applied to all non-exempted groundwater production. These RACs are calculated and managed separately by each agency for each of their Areas of Benefit (AOBs).

After recognizing that declining water levels in the 1990s could affect water reliability, CVWD adopted the 2002 Coachella Valley Water Management Plan (CVWMP) to address groundwater overdraft. The 2010 CVWMP Update and subsequent 2022 Indio Subbasin Alternative Plan Update identified a series of projects and management actions to reverse overdraft and improve basin conditions. Projects constructed

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since the CVWMP was adopted include the Thomas E. Levy GRF in La Quinta, the Palm Desert GRF, and the Mid-Valley Pipeline, which conveys Coachella Canal water to the mid-valley where it can be delivered directly or mixed with recycled water from WRP-7 and WRP-10 to meet irrigation demands of golf courses and HOAs in the Indian Wells-Palm Desert-Rancho Mirage area.

As noted above, CVWD and DWA began replenishment operations at the Mission Creek GRF in 2002. In addition, CVWD, DWA, and MSWD completed and adopted the 2013 MC/GH WMP to address groundwater overdraft. The subsequent 2022 Mission Creek Subbasin Alternative Plan Update identified projects and management actions to reverse overdraft and improve basin conditions. Projects constructed in the Subbasin include septic to sewer conversion, installation of additional monitoring wells, and construction of the Nancy Wright Regional WRF in 2024, providing the treatment capacity needed to complete removal of all legacy septic tank systems throughout its service area and produce recycled water for irrigation use.

Additional programs focusing on conversion of groundwater pumpers to recycled and imported Coachella Canal water over the next ten years are intended to prevent future overdraft within the Basin. During extended drought periods when SWP exchange water deliveries for replenishment are reduced, continued groundwater pumping could result in short-term overdraft. Reduced replenishment could result in lower groundwater levels, which are expected to recover when normal supply conditions resume. Short-term reductions in replenishment due to droughts are not expected to affect long-term supply reliability.

3.1.2.1 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act
In 2014, the California Legislature enacted SGMA, a package of three bills (AB 1739, SB 1168, and SB 1319), that empowers local agencies to sustainably manage groundwater resources. SGMA defines sustainable groundwater management as the management of groundwater supplies in a manner that can be maintained during the planning and implementation horizon without causing undesirable results.

A local agency, combination of local agencies, or county may establish a GSA. The GSA(s) must develop and implement a GSP that considers all beneficial uses and users of groundwater in the basin. GSAs must develop GSPs with measurable objectives and minimum thresholds that ensure basin sustainability by 2042. A basin may be managed by a single GSP or multiple coordinated GSPs. A basin can be managed by an alternative to a GSP if approved by DWR.

With respect to Coachella Valley, DWR designated the Indio and Mission Creek Subbasins (both nonadjudicated subbasins) and San Gorgonio Pass Subbasin (partially adjudicated) as medium priority subbasins, subject to SGMA, while the Desert Hot Springs Subbasin (non-adjudicated) was designated as a very low priority subbasin. In 2015, CVWD elected to become a GSA for the portions of the Indio and Mission Creek Subbasins within CVWD's service areas. As GSA for these areas, CVWD collaborated with DWA, Indio, and CWA as the Indio Subbasin GSAs to submit the 2010 CVWMP Update as an Alternative Plan for the Indio Subbasin. The Alternative Plan was submitted to DWR in 2016 and approved in 2019.

Consistent with SGMA, which requires five-year updates, the 2022 Indio Subbasin Alternative Plan was submitted to DWR in 2021 and approved in 2024. A 2027 Indio Subbasin Alternative Plan Update is currently underway. The Indio Subbasin Alternative Plan Update is available at https://www.indiosubbasinsgma.org.

Similarly, CVWD, DWA, and MSWD collaborated to submit the 2013 MC/GH WMP as an Alternative Plan for the Mission Creek Subbasin. The Alternative Plan was submitted to DWR in 2016 and approved in 2019.

Consistent with SGMA, which requires five-year updates, the 2022 Mission Creek Subbasin Alternative Plan Update was submitted to DWR in 2021 and approved in 2024. A 2027 Mission Creek Subbasin Alternative Plan Update is currently underway. The Mission Creek Subbasin Alternative Plan Update is available at http://www.missioncreeksubbasinsgma.org.

DWA is a member agency within the San Gorgonio Pass (SGP) Subbasin and participates in regional groundwater management efforts for that area. However, this RUWMP does not address or include the San Gorgonio Pass Subbasin area, as the SGP Subbasin lies outside the geographic scope of the planning area.

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3.1.3 Groundwater Quality
Groundwater quality in the Coachella Valley varies with depth, proximity to faults and recharge basins, presence of surface contaminants, and other hydrogeologic or human factors. Ongoing basin-wide groundwater quality monitoring verifies that drinking water supplied from groundwater wells complies with State and federal drinking water quality standards.

3.1.3.1 Regulated Contaminants
In some locations, Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) exceedances have been reported for arsenic and the newly-enacted chromium‐6 MCL of 10 parts per billion. Arsenic and chromium-6 are naturally occurring in some portions of the groundwater basin.

California has long-standing MCL standards for arsenic in drinking water. The last revision was established in November 2008 at 0.010 mg/L. Currently, the Division of Drinking Water is investigating the technological and economic feasibility of lowering the MCL below the current California and federal MCL and closer to the Public Health Goal (PHG)5. Where it is an issue, water suppliers are meeting the MCL for arsenic through a combination of treatment and blending approaches.

Chromium-6, also known as Cr-6 and hexavalent chromium, is a natural element that occurs in groundwater in the Coachella Valley due to the erosion of natural deposits. Until 2024, Cr-6 levels were controlled in California drinking water by existing regulations that include a MCL of 50 parts per billion for total chromium, which is twice as stringent as the national MCL for total chromium of 100 parts per billion established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). In April 2024, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) adopted a new MCL for Cr-6 of 10 micrograms per liter (µg/L), or 10 parts per billion. Compliance with the new MCL is required by October 1, 2026 for water systems with 10,000 or greater connections. Smaller water systems must be compliant by October 1, 2027 (1,000 to 9,999 connections) or October 1, 2028 (fewer than 1,000 connections). Water systems in the Coachella Valley are working towards compliance via combinations of wellhead treatment, blending, deactivation of wells producing high Cr-6 groundwater, and drilling of replacement wells in areas of lower Cr-6.

3.1.3.2 Emerging Contaminants
Notification Levels (NLs) and MCLs for specific per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are being phased in over the next half decade. PFAS are emerging anthropogenic contaminants regulated by the US EPA and SWRCB Division of Drinking Water. A timeline has been set requiring initial monitoring by 2027, which Coachella Valley agencies are in the process of completing. Compliance with MCLs and public notification are required by 2029. In May 2025, the US EPA announced its intent to rescind MCLs for all PFAS compounds except for PFOS and PFOA and extend the compliance timeline to 2031. A finalized ruling formalizing these changes is expected in Spring 2026. Local water suppliers are following a similar process as has been applied for Cr-6 regulations, and similar mitigation measures are expected.

3.1.3.3 Salt and Nutrient Management
Total dissolved solids (TDS) and salinity of the groundwater basin is also an important water quality parameter. Efforts are being made to analyze this through the Coachella Valley Salt and Nutrient Management Plan (CV-SNMP). In 2015, CVWD, DWA, and Indio submitted a CV-SNMP to the Colorado River Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) for approval. On February 19, 2020, the RWQCB provided their findings on the 2015 CV-SNMP along with their recommendations to address five areas, including monitoring program, modeling, assimilative capacity, antidegradation analysis, and implementation plan.

The RWQCB encouraged the local water and wastewater agencies to restart the process of developing a SNMP to sustainably manage salts and nutrients from all sources. In response, Coachella Valley water and wastewater agencies, including CVWD, DWA, Indio, CWA and CSD, Myoma Dunes Mutual Water Company, Valley Sanitary District, Mission Springs Water District, and City of Palm Springs (collectively, 5 More information and updates on the pre-rulemaking action for arsenic MCLs can be found here:
https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/certlic/drinkingwater/arsenic-mcl-revision.html

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CV-SNMP Agencies) agreed to prepare a CV-SNMP Development Workplan. CV-SNMP Agencies worked with RWQCB staff to develop an accepted CV-SNMP Development Workplan that defines the technical approach and schedule to prepare an updated CV-SNMP. The CV-SNMP Development Workplan includes an updated groundwater monitoring program and a technical scope of work to update the 2015 CV-SNMP and recommend numeric TDS objectives across the groundwater basin. The RWQCB accepted the CVSNMP Development Workplan in 2021. The approved technical scope of work is currently underway (CVSNMP 2025).

3.2 Imported Water
The Coachella Valley has access to two sources of imported water:
• Colorado River Water. CVWD has rights to receive Colorado River water delivered through the Coachella Canal, a branch of the All-American Canal.
• State Water Project (SWP) Water. CVWD and DWA are SWP Contractors. As such, they have rights to receive water from the SWP, which conveys water from northern California south to Lake Perris and other endpoints. There is no physical infrastructure to convey SWP water to the Coachella Valley, however, so CVWD and DWA have entered into exchange agreements with MWD for Colorado River water. MWD’s Colorado River Aqueduct conveys water from the Colorado River through the Coachella Valley and eventually to Lake Mathews. The exchange agreements allow MWD to deliver Colorado River water to CVWD and DWA for use in groundwater replenishment at Whitewater River GRF and Mission Creek GRF. In exchange, MWD accepts SWP water from DWR’s California Aqueduct that would have gone to CVWD and DWA.

The imported water sources and conveyance infrastructure are shown in Figure 3-2.

3.2.1 Colorado River Water
The 123-mile Coachella Canal was completed in 1948 and began delivering water to the Coachella Valley in 1949. Colorado River water is diverted into the All-American Canal at Imperial Dam, located on the Colorado River 18 miles upstream of Yuma, Arizona. From the All-American Canal, water is then diverted into the Coachella Canal approximately 20 miles west of Yuma at “Drop 1” of the All-American Canal. The Coachella Canal conveys water northward into the eastern Coachella Valley along the east side of the Salton Sea, continuing northerly past Mecca and Thermal to Indio, where the Coachella Canal bends westerly, then continues southwesterly to La Quinta, where it flows into Lake Cahuilla. Constructed by CVWD in 1968, Lake Cahuilla is the Coachella Canal’s terminal reservoir which provides operational storage of Colorado River water. The Coachella Canal and Lake Cahuilla system distributes water for irrigation to more than 63,000 acres of farmland in the eastern Coachella Valley through nearly 500 miles of subsurface delivery laterals (CVWD 2025b).

The Colorado River is managed and operated in accordance with the “Law of the River”, the collection of interstate compacts, federal and State legislation, various agreements and contracts, an international treaty, a U.S. Supreme Court decree, and federal administrative actions that govern the rights to use of Colorado River water within the seven Colorado River Basin states and Mexico. The Colorado River Compact, signed in 1922, apportioned the waters of the Colorado River Basin between the Upper Basin (Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and New Mexico) and the Lower Basin (Nevada, Arizona, and California). The Colorado River Compact allocates 15 million acre-feet per year (MAFY) of Colorado River water as represented in Figure 3-3 below: 7.5 MAFY to the Upper Basin and 7.5 MAFY to the Lower Basin, plus up to 1 MAFY of surplus supplies. In addition to those allocations, Mexico was allocated 1.5 MAFY. The Lower Basin’s water was further apportioned among the three Lower Basin states by the Boulder Canyon Project Act in 1928 and the 1964 U.S. Supreme Court decree in Arizona v. California. Arizona’s basic annual apportionment is 2.8 MAFY, California’s is 4.4 MAFY, and Nevada’s is 0.3 MAFY.

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Figure 3-2. Sources of Imported Water Supply

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Figure 3-3. Colorado River Compact Allocations (MAFY)
The service area for Colorado River water delivery under CVWD’s contract with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) is defined as Improvement District No. 1 (ID-1) which encompasses most of the East Valley and a portion of the West Valley north of Interstate 10. Under the 1931 California Seven Party Agreement, CVWD has water rights to Colorado River water as part of the first 3.85 MAFY allocated to California. CVWD is in the third priority position along with IID.

At the time of publication of this RUWMP, USBR and the seven Colorado River Basin states are actively negotiating a new operating plan to replace the 2007 Interim Guidelines, which expires at the end of 2026.

This post-2026 planning effort is focused on addressing hydrologic variability, climate change, and the need for coordinated operations of Lake Powell and Lake Mead. While the process may result in new shortagesharing agreements or conservation programs, it does not alter the existing priority structure established under the California Seven-Party Agreement. USBR seeks to have an agreement in place prior to the October 1, 2026 start of the 2026-2027 Water Year.

3.2.1.1 Quantification Settlement Agreement
In October 2003, CVWD, IID, MWD, and the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) along with the State and federal governments executed the QSA. The QSA quantifies the Colorado River water allocations of California’s contractors for the next 75 years and provides for the transfer of water between agencies.

Under the QSA, CVWD has a base allotment of 330,000 AFY. In accordance with the QSA, CVWD has entered into water transfer agreements with MWD and IID that increase CVWD supplies as shown in Table 3-2.

7.5, 43%
1, 6%

1.5, 8%

2.8, 16%

4.4, 25%

0.3, 2%

7.5, 43%
Upper Basin Lower Basin Surplus Supplies Mexico Arizona California Nevada

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Table 3-1. CVWD Colorado River Water Budget under the Quantification Settlement Agreement
Component 2025 Amount (AFY) 2027 – 2050 Amount (AFY)
Base Entitlement 330,000 330,000
1988 MWD/IID Approval Agreement 20,000 20,000
First IID/CVWD Transfer 50,000 50,000
Second IID/CVWD Transfer1 48,000 53,000
Less Coachella Canal Lining (to SDCWA) -26,000 -26,000
Less Miscellaneous/Indian Present Perfected Rights -3,000 -3,000 QSA Diversions 419,000 424,000
MWD/CVWD SWP Transfer2 35,000 35,000
Total Allocations 454,000 459,000
Less Conveyance Losses and Regulatory Water3 -22,700 -22,950 Total Deliveries to CVWD 426,300 436,050
Notes:

1. The Second IID/CVWD Transfer began in 2018 with 13,000 AF of water. This amount increases annually by 5,000 AFY for a total of 53,000 AFY in 2026.

2. The 35,000 AFY MWD/CVWD SWP Transfer may be delivered at either Imperial Dam or Whitewater River and is not subject to SWP or Colorado River reliability.

3. Conveyance losses and regulatory water are estimated at approximately 5% of total diversions, consistent with CVWD Engineer’s Reports (CVWD 2025a).

The QSA requires most of the Colorado River water to be delivered at Imperial Dam, via the All-American Canal to the Coachella Canal. The 35,000 AFY MWD/CVWD SWP Transfer can also be delivered to the Whitewater Turnout on the Colorado River Aqueduct, which allows for replenishment at Whitewater River GRF. Deliveries at Whitewater Turnout are subject to a supplemental energy charge for Colorado River Aqueduct pumping. The 35,000 AFY supply is not subject to SWP delivery reliability; rather, it is a fixed annual delivery. Either MWD or CVWD may request a reduction or elimination of delivery in a given year subject to mutual consent. However, QSA water may not be used in the Mission Creek GRF. Delivery of this water to the Whitewater River GRF began in 2010, with annual volumes fluctuating based on available supply conditions. The 2019 Second Amendment to the Delivery and Exchange Agreement with MWD authorizes CVWD to receive 15,000 AF of the 20,000 AF allocated under the 1988 MWD/IID Approval Agreement at the Whitewater River GRF through 2026.

3.2.1.2 Canal Water Deliveries
CVWD manages the Coachella Canal and associated water delivery system used to irrigate over 63,000 acres of farmland in the East Valley. The Coachella Canal was built during the period from August 1938 to June 1948, with construction halted during World War II. Construction of the underground distribution system was initiated in 1948 and completed in 1954. The Canal distribution system was constructed and engineered to follow the natural slope of the land to allow the free flow of water using the force of gravity.

Irrigation pumps are used to deliver water to elevated areas within the availability zones. This lateral distribution system delivers water to farmers at the highest point of every 40 acres of eligible land within CVWD 's ID-1 service area.

In addition to agricultural irrigation, Canal water is currently delivered to 30 golf courses and other irrigators in the Indio Subbasin in-lieu of groundwater to reduce groundwater pumping. Golf courses served with Canal water are required to meet at least 80 percent of their water needs with Colorado River water.

Average Canal deliveries for 2020 – 2024 for the East Golf customers totaled 20,160 AFY. CVWD is working with two additional golf courses to connect to the Canal water distribution system.

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3.2.1.3 Mid-Valley Pipeline
The Mid-Valley Pipeline (MVP) is a pipeline distribution system to deliver Canal water to the Mid-Valley area for golf course and landscape irrigation. Some customers receive only Canal water, while others receive a blend of Canal water and recycled water from WRP-7 or WRP-10. This source substitution effort reduces groundwater pumping for large-scale landscape uses.

Construction of the first phase of the MVP from the Coachella Canal in Indio to CVWD’s WRP-10 in Palm Desert (6.6 miles in length) was completed in 2009. Currently, six golf courses receive Canal water directly from the MVP. An additional 15 golf courses receive a blend of Canal water from the MVP and recycled water from CVWD’s WRP-10 and three golf courses receive a blend of Canal water and recycled water from CVWD’s WRP-7. Average Canal deliveries for 2020 – 2024 for the MVP customers totaled 12,340 AFY.

Implementation of later phases will expand the non-potable system to be able to serve approximately 38 golf courses in the Rancho Mirage-Palm Desert-Indian Wells area that currently use groundwater as their primary source of supply with Canal water or a blend with recycled water. Golf courses connected to the MVP or non-potable system are required to meet at least 80 percent of their water needs with non-potable water.

A total of six homeowner’s associations (HOAs), schools, churches and other municipal buildings also receive a blend of recycled water and Canal water for irrigation from the MVP, WRP-7, and WRP-10. From 2020 – 2024, the MVP, WRP-7, and WRP-10 non-potable systems have served approximately 41,500 AFY of Canal water and 9,760 AFY of CVWD’s recycled water.

3.2.1.4 Oasis In-Lieu Recharge Project
The Oasis In-Lieu Recharge Project is an in-lieu source-substitution project identified in the 2010 CVWMP Update that will supply approximately 32,000 AFY to offset groundwater pumping for agricultural irrigation.

System improvements required to convey water to these lands include construction of gravity and pressurized pipelines, surface reservoirs, pump stations, and related modifications and connections to the existing irrigation system. Owned and operated by CVWD, Phase 1 of the Oasis In-Lieu Recharge Project has been constructed and is delivering 12,000 AFY to agricultural customers. The Oasis project serves only agricultural customers and is not addressed further in this RUWMP.

3.2.1.5 Drought Responses
In response to the prolonged drought conditions on the Colorado River, USBR is leveraging two tools to ensure that elevations in Lake Powell and Lake Mead remain above critical operating levels through 2026 to satisfy delivery obligations and power generation needs. First, USBR is seeking to change their authority under the 2007 Interim Guidelines by formally opening the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to increase flexibility in the rules for system operations through 2026. Concurrently, USBR is also funding the Lower Colorado River Basin Conservation and Efficiency Program (LC Conservation Program) to promote voluntary and compensated efforts to increase the conserved water volume in Lake Mead. The LC Conservation Program consists of three components, which include funding for short and long-term water conservation efforts (CVWD 2025a).

CVWD has taken a proactive approach in its Colorado River drought response, with actions including:
• Conserving 9,083 AF of Colorado River water in 2022, through replenishment curtailment (USBR and CVWD, 2022); this program was funded under the 500+ Plan. • Actively engaging in the SEIS discussions.
• Responding with four applications to the LC Conservation Program. To date, three agreements for two different conservation programs have been executed with USBR under the LC Conservation Program. These two programs conserve Colorado River water by:
o Ceasing replenishment at CVWD’s Thomas E. Levy GRF (USBR and CVWD, 2023 and 2025) for a total volume up to 140,000 AF between 2023 and 2026, and

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o Incentivizing Canal water users to fallow agricultural lands within CVWD’s service area (USBR and CVWD, 2024) for a total volume of up to 30,000 AF between 2024 and 2026.

Much of the current focus on the Colorado River has been on crafting a successor agreement to the 2007 Interim Guidelines, which expire at the end of 2026. As part of this process, USBR issued a notice on October 20, 2023, to develop alternatives for analysis in the draft SEIS for the future operations of the Colorado River. CVWD worked with its Basin States partners in an attempt to arrive at a consensus 7- states alternative in 2023 and early 2024. Due to the wide difference in opinions on operations that could not be bridged between the Upper Basin States (Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming) and the Lower Basin States (Arizona, California and Nevada) by the submittal deadline (early March 2024), two separate alternative proposals were provided to USBR for analysis. CVWD will continue to work with its Basin States partners to seek a consensus solution to provide operational certainty in the successor agreement (CVWD 2025a).

3.2.2 State Water Project Exchange
The SWP is the nation’s largest state-owned and operated power generator and water storage and delivery system, consisting of a collection of reservoirs, pipelines, canals, power plants, and hydroelectric power facilities operated by DWR. The SWP was designed to deliver up to 4.18 MAFY of water to 29 SWP Contractors throughout California who serve over 27 million Californian homes, businesses, and 750,000 acres of farmland. CVWD and DWA are two SWP Contractors who entered into a water supply contract with DWR in the early 1960s for a base allocation of SWP water, commonly known as their “Table A allocation”. CVWD and DWA do not have a physical connection to the SWP system, which terminates at Lake Perris in western Riverside County. Instead of direct SWP deliveries, CVWD and DWA exchange SWP water with MWD for an equal amount of Colorado River water delivered via the Colorado River Aqueduct (CVWD 2025a).

DWA and CVWD initially contracted with the State of California for SWP water in 1962 and 1963, respectively. CVWD and DWA’s initial contractual Table A allocations were 23,100 AFY and 38,100 AFY, respectively. However, CVWD and DWA have since executed agreements with other SWP Contractors for additional Table A water for a maximum of 138,350 AFY and 55,750 AFY, respectively (a total of 194,100 AFY). These totals are shown in Table 3-3.

Table 3-2. State Water Project Allocations to CVWD and DWA (AFY) Agency
Original SWP
Table A
Tulare Lake
Basin
Transfer #1
Tulare Lake
Basin
Transfer #2
MWD
Transfer
BerrendaMesa
Transfer
Current Total
Table A
CVWD 23,100 9,900 5,250 88,100 12,000 138,350
DWA 38,100 0 1,750 11,900 4,000 55,750
Total 61,200 9,900 7,000 100,000 16,000 194,100
Each year, DWR determines the amount of water available for delivery to SWP Contractors based on hydrology, reservoir storage, the requirements of water rights licenses and permits, water quality, and environmental requirements for protected species in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The available supply is then allocated according to each SWP Contractor’s updated Table A amount (including both their original allocation and subsequent transfers). CVWD and DWA jointly manage their combined SWP Table A amounts, allocating costs in proportion to total groundwater production within the West Valley of the Indio Subbasin and the Mission Creek Subbasin Areas of Benefit, within their respective service areas.

3.2.2.1 SWP Exchange and Advance Delivery Agreements
In 1984, CVWD and DWA entered into an Advance Delivery Agreement with MWD whereby MWD could store up to 600,000 AF of Colorado River water in the Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin as an advance delivery of SWP exchange water. This agreement was later amended to increase the maximum pre-delivery amount to 800,000 AF. MWD can deliver SWP exchange water to CVWD and DWA as wet water or as a

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deduction from its Advance Delivery storage account. The existing Exchange and Advance Delivery Agreements were updated and consolidated in 2019 into a single amended and restated agreement.

The 2019 Exchange and Advance Delivery Agreement notes that:
• CVWD and DWA entered into separate exchange agreements with MWD in 1967 under which CVWD and DWA deliver their SWP water to MWD, and in exchange MWD delivers a like amount of Colorado River Water to CVWD and DWA.
• In 1984, the three parties entered into the Advance Delivery Agreement, which allowed MWD to deliver Colorado River water in advance to be credited against its future water exchange obligations.
• In 2003, the parties entered the 2003 Exchange Agreement, which amended the 1983 Exchange Agreements and the Advance Delivery Agreement. It also provided for the transfer of 100,000 AFY of MWD’s Table A amount to CVWD and DWA in exchange for a like quantity of MWD’s Colorado River water. The agreement also provided MWD an annual option to call-back the 100,000 AF transfer under certain conditions.
• The purposes of the 2019 Exchange and Advance Delivery Agreement were to make necessary updates, end MWD’s right to call back 100,000 AFY of Table A water, and allow MWD to defer certain Colorado River deliveries to CVWD and DWA.

Negotiations are currently underway with MWD, CVWD, and DWA to extend the Exchange and Advance Delivery Agreement to 2085 to coincide with SWP Contract extension.

The amount of water that has been pre-delivered is accounted for and reported annually in the Engineer’s Reports on Water Supply and Replenishment prepared by CVWD and DWA. At the end of 2025, MWD’s balance in its Advance Delivery storage account was 374,404 AF.

MWD and CVWD have a separate agreement for delivery and exchange of 35,000 AF. This agreement was first created in 2003 and then amended in 2015, 2019, and 2025. The 2025 Third Amendment extended the delivery period to 2035 and committed to working toward a long-term extension to 2077 provided the Exchange and Advance Delivery Agreement has been extended to 2085. The Third Amendment also updated the delivery, billing, and payment terms.

3.2.2.2 Supplemental Water
Occasionally, high flows in the SWP system create conditions where all the water cannot be completely stored in the SWP’s San Luis Reservoir. The un-stored water is known as Article 21 water, which DWR makes available to SWP Contractors who have the ability to take delivery during these conditions. This water is typically stored in the SWP Contractor’s own system, including through groundwater recharge, and does not count toward their Table A allocation. The most recent delivery of Article 21 water occurred in 2023 for 13,599 AF6. Similar to the SWP arrangement, CVWD and DWA exchange this water with MWD for Colorado River water.

3.2.2.3 SWP Reliability
DWR prepares a biennial SWP Delivery Capability Report to assist SWP Contractors and local planners in evaluating the availability and reliability of SWP supplies. The Draft 2025 Delivery Capability Report, released in December 2025, provides updated estimates of SWP delivery capability under both existing and future climate conditions. These estimates are intended to support long-term planning efforts, including the preparation of 2025 UWMPs.

The Draft 2025 Delivery Capability Report builds upon and refines methodological changes introduced in prior reports, including the use of an "Adjusted Historical Hydrology" dataset that better reflects recent climate conditions. This dataset replaces the traditional historical hydrology baseline and is based on a 100- year simulation period (Water Years 1922–2021), with the earlier 70 years statistically adjusted to match 6 2023 is the most recent Article 21 delivery which can be referenced from the 2024-2025 Engineer’s Report here https://www.cvwd.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/1086

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the hydrologic characteristics of the most recent 30 years. This approach accounts for observed shifts in precipitation patterns, runoff timing, and reservoir inflows due to climate change.

Under existing conditions, the Draft 2025 Delivery Capability Report estimates the long-term average annual SWP Table A delivery at 2,234 thousand acre-feet (TAF), or approximately 54% of the maximum Table A amount (4,133 TAF)7. This represents an increase from the 2,202 TAF (53%) reported in the 2023 DCR8, primarily due to the updated hydrology and modeling refinements.

To assess future reliability, the Draft 2025 Delivery Capability Report continues to focus on the three climate change scenarios centered on 2043, representing 50%, 75%, and 95% levels of concern (LOC). These scenarios incorporate projected increases in temperature, changes in precipitation intensity, and sea level rise. Under these scenarios, average annual Table A deliveries are projected to decline to 1,993 TAF (48%) under the 50% LOC, 1,902 TAF (46%) under the 75% LOC, and 1,770 TAF (43%) under the 95% LOC.

The Draft 2025 Delivery Capability Report also updates estimates for single dry year conditions. Under existing conditions, the lowest modeled single-year Table A delivery is 237 TAF (6%), which occurred in 1977. This is consistent with historical minimum allocations of 8% in 2014 and 10% in 2021. DWR uses a 50% exceedance hydrologic forecast for setting initial annual allocations, with adjustments made throughout the water year as conditions evolve.

In addition to Table A deliveries, DWR evaluates Article 21 water (interruptible surplus water) availability.

The Draft 2025 Delivery Capability Report also forecasts a decreased likelihood of Article 21 deliveries over the long-term average. Article 21 deliveries remain minimal during dry years.

As part of the Indio Subbasin and Mission Creek Subbasin planning efforts, the RUWMP agencies are evaluating potential future scenarios that reflect the Draft 2025 Delivery Capability Report reliability estimates. These scenarios incorporate potential climate change impacts and are being analyzed in the Alternative Plan Updates currently under development.

3.2.2.4 Yuba Accord
In 2008, CVWD and DWA entered into separate agreements with DWR for the purchase and conveyance of supplemental SWP water under the Yuba River Accord Dry Year Water Purchase Program (Yuba Accord). This program provides dry year supplies through a water purchase agreement between DWR and Yuba County Water Agency, which settled long-standing operational and environmental issues over instream flow requirements for the lower Yuba River. Yuba Accord water transfers could include both surface water and groundwater substitution transfers for an estimated total of up to 140,000 AFY through 2050. The amount of water available for purchase varies annually and is allocated among participating SWP Contractors based on their Table A amounts. Typically, CVWD and DWA receive some minimal amount of Yuba Accord water, averaging 633 AFY for CVWD and 147 AFY for DWA from 2008 – 2024.

3.2.2.5 Rosedale – Rio Bravo Transfers
In 2008, CVWD entered into an agreement with Rosedale-Rio Bravo Water Storage District (Rosedale RioBravo) for a one-time transfer of 10,000 AF of GLC water intended for a property development located in Riverside County within CVWD’s boundary. In 2012, CVWD entered into an Assignment Agreement with GLC to take over GLC’s water rights for the term of the 2005 Water Supply Agreement between GLC and Rosedale Rio-Bravo. The Assignment Agreement provides a total of 252,500 AF to CVWD from Rosedale Rio-Bravo through 2035. CVWD also entered into a letter agreement with MWD in 2012 for the delivery and exchange of up to 16,500 AFY of non-Table A SWP water that Rosedale Rio-Bravo provides to CVWD.

The water from Rosedale Rio-Bravo is delivered to CVWD as exchange water from MWD at the Whitewater River GRF.

In 2020, CVWD finalized a supplemental letter agreement with Rosedale Rio-Bravo and a Point of Delivery Agreement with DWR that increased the limit on the amount Rosedale Rio-Bravo can deliver to CVWD in 7 For more information on the 2025 Draft Delivery Capability Report visit https://data.cnra.ca.gov/dataset/5be1b39d-6e2b-43a6- ae51-ee6a23fb5990/resource/5d238ff5-899b-4357-8835-5b043f61f5da/download/draft_dcr25_mainreport_final_2025-12-17.pdf 8 For more information on the 2023 Delivery Capability Report visit https://data.cnra.ca.gov/dataset/a3bb1ddd-624b-4c3d-95e7- 2aa6b3bf2b5b/resource/92356681-957a-48ee-97c4-529d25b9dbb2/download/final_dcr2023_v2.pdf

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any one year (from 16,500 to 20,000 AFY) but does not change the total volume delivered during the life of the agreement through 2035. The remaining balance of Rosedale water available to CVWD through 2035 is 130,500 AF, which is approximately 13,050 AFY from 2026 – 2035.

3.2.2.6 Delta Conveyance Project
The Delta Conveyance Project is a State project intended to improve SWP reliability and result in increased deliveries in the future. The existing SWP water conveyance facilities in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta), which include Clifton Court Forebay and the Banks Pumping Plant, enable DWR to divert water to the California Aqueduct. The Delta Conveyance Project would construct and operate new conveyance facilities in the Delta, primarily a new tunnel to bypass existing natural channels used for conveyance. New intake facilities would be located in the north Delta along the Sacramento River between Freeport, CA and the confluence with Sutter Slough. A new tunnel would convey water from the new intakes to the existing Banks Pumping Plant and potentially the federal Jones Pumping Plant, both in Byron, CA in the south Delta.

The new facilities would provide an alternate location for diversion of water from the Delta and would be operated in coordination with the existing south Delta pumping facilities.

Construction of the Delta Conveyance Project would improve water supply reliability for SWP Contractors by addressing in-Delta conveyance, with its myriad of constraints. Because the SWP currently relies on the Delta’s natural channels to convey water, it is vulnerable to earthquakes, climate change, and pumping restrictions established to protect in-stream species and habitats. Certain pumping restrictions in the south Delta can prevent the SWP from reliably capturing water when it is available, especially in wet weather.

The Delta Conveyance Project would add new diversions in the north Delta to promote a more resilient and flexible SWP in the face of unstable future conditions. Combined with the current through-Delta method, the addition of Delta Conveyance Project facilities is referred to as “dual conveyance” because there would be two complimentary methods to divert and convey water.

The Delta Conveyance Project is currently in its pre-construction phase and in May 2024, interim funding for pre-construction costs for 2026-2027 was requested from participants. Currently, CVWD’s participation in the Delta Conveyance Project is 3.78% (14,900 AFY) and DWA’s participation is 1.52% (5,900 AFY), resulting in a total anticipated increase in SWP reliability of 20,800 AFY. While this is not a new or additional source of supply, CVWD and DWA anticipate that delivery of an additional 20,800 AFY of their Table A amounts will support the existing replenishment programs and overall groundwater sustainability.

3.2.2.7 Sites Reservoir
The Sites Reservoir project would construct 1.5 MAF off-stream storage to capture and store stormwater flows from the Sacramento River for dry year releases. Sites Reservoir would be situated on the west side of the Sacramento Valley, approximately 10 miles west of Maxwell, CA. When operated in coordination with other Northern California reservoirs such as Shasta, Oroville, and Folsom, which function as the backbone to both the SWP and the Central Valley Project, Sites Reservoir would increase flexibility and reliability of statewide water supplies in drier periods. In 2019, CVWD and DWA both entered into an agreement with the Sites Project Authority for the next phase of planning for the Sites Reservoir.

Since execution of the 2019 agreement, the Sites Project Authority has advanced the Sites Reservoir project into the implementation phase. In August 2023, the California Water Commission conditionally awarded the project $875 million using Proposition 1 Water Storage Investment Program (WSIP) funding.

In August 2025, an additional $218.9 million in Proposition 1 funding was allocated to the Sites Reservoir project as an inflationary adjustment, bringing the total maximum eligibility WSIP funding to $1.094 billion.

Environmental review under CEQA and NEPA was completed between 2022 and 2023, allowing the project to advance to final design, right-of-way acquisition, and permitting. Construction is anticipated to begin by early 2027, subject to completion of remaining approvals and financing.

3.3 Local Surface Water
The Coachella Valley drainage area is approximately 65 percent mountainous and 35 percent typical desert valley with alluvial fan topography buffering the valley floor from the steep mountain slopes. The mean annual precipitation ranges from 44 inches in the San Bernardino Mountains to less than 3 inches at the

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Salton Sea. Longer duration, lower intensity rainfall events tend to have higher infiltration rates, but runoff and flash flooding can result from different types of storms. Otherwise, there is little or no flow in surface drainages along the floor of the Coachella Valley. Baseflow does sustain some perennial surface flow in several drainages with high elevation headwaters in the San Jacinto and San Bernardino Mountains. These flows recharge the Coachella Valley aquifer system at mountain front locations, but surface flows typically cease at short distances into the Subbasins.

The Mission Creek runs from the San Bernardino and Little San Bernardino mountains in the northwest and flows southeast to the Whitewater River. Mission Creek flows to the valley floor on a consistent basis, but the stream usually disappears underground a short distance from its entrance into the greater Mission Creek Subbasin near Highway 62. While the principal surface water features in the Mission Creek and Desert Hot Springs Subbasins directly contribute to groundwater recharge, they are not sufficiently reliable to be used directly for municipal, industrial, or agricultural uses.

The Whitewater River runs through the Coachella Valley from the northwest to the southeast. Many portions of the main channel and its tributaries have been channelized to convey flood flows. The upper reach of the main channel is referred to as the Whitewater River Stormwater Channel (WRSC) and the lower reach is referred to as the Coachella Valley Stormwater Channel (CVSC).

DWA and CVWD both hold State of California surface water rights. CVWD’s rights total up to 328,591 AFY for the Whitewater River and multiple tributaries, which exceeds the long-term average watershed runoff.

These rights allow CVWD to capture available watershed runoff for replenishment of the groundwater basin.

DWA’s rights total up to 13,308 AFY for Chino, Snow, Falls Creek, and Whitewater River. DWA acquired the water rights of the Whitewater River Mutual Water Company for 10 cubic feet per second (cfs) from Whitewater Canyon in 2008. Local surface water is diverted by DWA for urban and agricultural demands.

Because surface water supplies are affected by variations in annual precipitation, the annual supply is highly variable. Since 1960, the historical surface water diversions have ranged from approximately 1,400 to 8,500 AFY. From 2020 – 2024, DWA’s average annual surface water diversions from all sources totaled 2,740 AFY. The remaining undiverted surface water is recharged into the Indio Subbasin through the natural streambed near Snow Creek Road/Highway 111, Chino Canyon, and the Whitewater River channel.

The water quality of local surface water is generally suitable for its beneficial uses. DWA is the only participating agency that uses surface water as an urban supply. DWA monitors surface water quality at the diversion. If the water quality does not meet permit requirements or is outside the approved treatment capabilities, diversions are temporarily suspended. DWA brought a new surface water filtration plant online in late 2020 to filter water from Snow Creek and Falls Creek. DWA’s Chino Creek supply, which serves the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, is operated in accordance with filtration avoidance criteria.

3.4 Stormwater
Stormwater is not being intentionally diverted for beneficial reuse in the Coachella Valley and is not reported as a water source. Though, given the porous nature of the region’s soils, stormwater percolates to groundwater except in extreme wet weather events when the Whitewater River and associated stormwater conveyance channels discharge to the Salton Sea.

3.5 Recycled Water
Recycled water is a significant potential local resource that can be used to help reduce overdraft.

Wastewater that has been highly treated and disinfected can be reused for landscape irrigation and other non-potable purposes. An overview of water recycling programs is included here, and each agency’s chapter has more detailed information about their facilities.

CVWD started recycling wastewater for irrigation of golf courses and landscaping in the Coachella Valley in the late 1960s. CVWD operates five Water Reclamation Plants (WRPs), two of which (WRP-7 and WRP10) generate recycled water for irrigation of golf courses and large landscape areas. WRP-7 is located in north Indio and is a 5.0 MGD secondary treatment facility with current tertiary treatment capacity of 2.5 MGD (2,800 AFY). The tertiary treated wastewater is used for irrigation of golf courses at Sun City in north Palm Desert and Shadow Hills in north Indio. WRP-10 is located in the City of Palm Desert and is an 18

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MGD secondary treatment facility with a current tertiary treatment capacity of 15 MGD (16,800 AFY). WRP7 and WRP-10 both deliver a blend of recycled water and Canal water for irrigation of golf courses, municipal, and HOA landscaping. The blend proportion depends on customer demands with CVWD’s goal to beneficially reuse as much recycled water as possible; Canal water is used to augment supply for peak demands. CVWD is also planning to add tertiary treatment at WRP-4, in the unincorporated community of Thermal. CVWD’s remaining two plants, WRP-1 and WRP-2, are small facilities with no current plans for water recycling.

CWA serves the City of Coachella, whose CSD owns and operates a 4.5 MGD (5,040 AFY) secondary treatment wastewater facility utilizing activated sludge and oxidation ditch processes. The plant currently discharges treated effluent to the CVSC. CSD participated in a regional feasibility study to determine the best available and most cost-effective opportunity to implement recycled water, but has not proceeded with a recycled water system construction at this time.

DWA began operating its DWA WRP in the 1980s that treats secondary effluent from the City of Palm Springs WWTP. The DWA WRP has a tertiary treatment capacity of 10 MGD (11,200 AFY). DWA delivers recycled water to golf courses, parks, and other landscapes in the Palm Springs area, and also utilizes recycled water for irrigation at its operations center and WRP. Beginning in 2014, DWA equipped two shallow groundwater wells to augment the non-potable supply for peak demands (typically summer). These shallow wells pump non-potable groundwater adjacent to the DWA WRP to temporarily augment recycled water supplies when secondary effluent flow from the Palm Springs WWTP is not sufficient to meet customer needs.

Indio serves the City of Indio, where wastewater treatment is provided by VSD. VSD owns and operates an 11 MGD (12,320 AFY) wastewater treatment facility that serves most of the City of Indio. The City of Indio and VSD have formed a Joint Powers Authority to plan, program, finance, design and operate a future WRP. This facility would provide advanced treatment for effluent from VSD’s plant and create a new sustainable source of supply. Initial planning for the first phase is currently underway.

MSWD operates three wastewater treatment facilities. The Alan L. Horton WWTP is a 2.4 MGD (2,690 AFY) facility in Desert Hot Springs. The Desert Crest WWTP is a small 0.2 MGD (224 AFY) facility serving two mobile home parks in Desert Hot Springs. Both facilities discharge to onsite evaporation/percolation ponds. The Nancy Wright Regional WRF, recently completed in September 2024, is a 1.5 MGD (1,680 AFY) facility that will accept flows formerly routed to the Horton WWTP. MSWD plans to expand the Regional WRF to produce recycled water for beneficial reuse in the Mission Creek Subbasin.

Photograph: MSWD’s Nancy Wright Regional Water Reclamation Facility

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MDMWC does not provide wastewater treatment services, and coordinates with regional agencies on potential uses of recycled water within its service area.

Two small facilities in the southern portion of the study area are operated by the Salton Community Services District (SCSD). The Salton City WWTP (0.5 MGD) and the Desert Shore WWTP (0.2 MGD) dispose of effluent through evaporation and percolation, and there are no current plans for water recycling.

Wastewater treatment and recycled water facilities are shown in Figure 3-4.

3.6 Consistency with the Delta Plan for Participants in Covered Actions The region’s approach to demonstrating reduced reliance on the Delta has been developed using input from DWR and SWP Contractors. This RUWMP is focused on the delivery of potable water to meet demands in each agency’s public water systems. Agricultural users and golf courses use large amounts of water in the Coachella Valley, but this water is not typically delivered through the municipal systems.

Instead, these users may pump groundwater, which is replenished with Colorado River or SWP exchange water, or receive Canal water delivered by CVWD. For the purposes of evaluating regional reliance on the Delta, the agencies have prepared an estimate of these non-municipal demands in the region (see Table 3-4). The analysis of reduced Delta reliance is provided in Appendix B.

Table 3-3. Non-Municipal Water Use
2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050
Agricultural Irrigation (AFY) 267,655 264,311 260,024 255,917 251,810 247,702 Golf Irrigation (AFY) 106,735 111,479 111,479 111,479 111,479 111,479 Other Non-Urban NonPotable Use (AFY)10,731 10,731 10,731 10,731 10,731 10,731 Total Non-Urban NonPotable Use (AFY)
385,121 386,521 382,234 378,127 374,020 369,912
Notes:

These estimates are from the draft Indio Subbasin Alternative Plan Update and draft Mission Creek Subbasin Alternative Plan Update, which will be submitted to DWR by January 1, 2027.

3.7 Climate Change
The long-term reliability of imported water supplies for CVWD and DWA is shaped by the accelerating impacts of climate change on both the SWP and the Colorado River. Climate conditions fundamentally change how water systems are designed, operated, and sustained to meet water supply, flood protection, and ecosystem needs. Rising temperatures, reduced snowpack accumulation, altered runoff timing, and increasingly persistent drought conditions are diminishing the reliability of traditional water storage and conveyance systems. Recent assessments by DWR and USBR indicate that past hydrologic patterns can no longer serve as a dependable benchmark for future planning. Projections show declining SWP deliveries under all modeled climate scenarios by 2043, while Colorado River operations are anticipated to remain constrained by shortage conditions as basin inflows continue to fall below historical norms.

3.7.1 State Water Project Vulnerability to Climate Change In December 2025, DWR released the Draft 2025 SWP Delivery Capability Report (DWR 2025b), which evaluates how the SWP performs under three projected future climate scenarios, representing 50%, 75%, and 95% likelihood-of-occurrence. The Draft 2025 Delivery Capability Report examines the SWP system’s resilience to climate-driven stressors and finds that warming temperatures are expected to convert more precipitation from snow to rainfall, increasing winter runoff while reducing late-season flows. This seasonal shift affects both the timing and dependability of SWP deliveries. To assess these impacts, DWR modeled future hydrologic conditions during representative wet years to estimate anticipated changes in SWP Table A deliveries. DWR’s modeling indicates that SWP Table A deliveries are expected to diminish during both wet and dry periods as compared to existing conditions. For CVWD and DWA, which rely on SWP deliveries for groundwater replenishment, providing the region with long-term drought resilience, these reductions will result in less water availability and greater dependance on groundwater in storage.

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Figure 3-4. Wastewater and Recycled Water Facilities

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Section 3.2.2.3 contains a detailed description of SWP reliability based on the Draft 2025 Delivery Capability Report. Across all future climate scenarios, long-term average SWP deliveries decline from current 54% of Table A amounts to 43-48% in 2043. The impacts are more pronounced during multi-year droughts. For example, a historical 6-year drought that produced 15-22% of Table A supplies are projected to deliver 13– 15% under climate change in 2043. For CVWD and DWA, these projected changes translate into reduced dependability and altered timing of SWP supplies. Diminished deliveries would limit water available for groundwater recharge, constrain CVWD’s ability to buffer Colorado River shortages, and reduce opportunities to replenish storage following extended drought conditions.

In August 2025, DWR released the SWP Adaptation Strategy (DWR 2025a), which builds on the findings of the Delivery Capability Report and evaluates the same future climate scenarios. This strategy outlines pathways to strengthen system performance, identifying seventeen adaptation measures spanning infrastructure investments, operational and management adjustments, and nature-based approaches designed to enhance long-term SWP reliability. Five actions, including the Delta Conveyance Project and Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations, were identified as being the most promising. These strategies are organized into four potential adaptation portfolios in the SWP Adaptation Strategy. By 2043, the preferred portfolio is estimated to exceed current capability by 200,000 TAF/year. Implementation of this portfolio will require significant financial investment by local and State agencies, policy alignment between regional and State policy makers and overcoming a variety of regulatory and legal hurdles.

3.7.2 Colorado River Aqueduct Vulnerability to Climate Change Supplies conveyed through the Colorado River Aqueduct have remained below historical norms, reflecting more than twenty years of severe drought compounded by a long-term decline in basin-wide flows.

According to USBR’s February 2026 24-Month Study (USBR 2026), the April through July 2026 unregulated inflow forecast for Lake Powell is 2.40 MAF, which is 38% of average. For the full Water Year 2026, the unregulated inflow forecast for Lake Powell is 5.02 MAF, or 52% of average. In addition, the Calendar Year 2026 diversion for MWD is projected to be 0.905 MAF. A Shortage Condition will govern the operation of Lake Mead for Calendar Year 2026, meaning water deliveries to some users will be reduced to protect the reservoir (USBR 2026). As the States negotiate a post-2026 operating framework, structural deficits and worsening hydrologic conditions will require permanent reductions in Colorado River use across all sectors, including municipal, agricultural, and environmental users.

3.7.3 Regional Climate Change Projections
Regional climate change projections were developed as part of the Coachella Valley Regional Water Resilience Plan (currently underway). To evaluate the region’s vulnerability to climate-related hazards, the best available statewide and global climate models were consulted to derive watershed-specific climate change metrics. These climate change metrics were used to assess how the watershed and community may be exposed to key representative climate hazards, including extreme heat and extreme precipitation.

The projected changes in extreme heat and extreme precipitation are based on climate simulations driven by greenhouse gas scenario pathways known as Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs). SSPs were produced by an international community of climate scientists within the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change framework. They represent different plausible futures based on assumptions about population growth, economic development, technological advancement, energy systems, and global climate policy.

Each pathway produces a distinct emissions trajectory, which is then used to drive Global Climate Models to simulate future temperature, precipitation, and related climate variables at a regional scale. For this analysis, the SSP3-7.0 pathway was selected to align with California’s Fifth Climate Change Assessment, public utility planning standards, and the State’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation’s recommended reference scenario for regional assessments. SSP3-7.0 represents a mid-to-high emissions future characterized by limited international cooperation, slower economic growth, and significant challenges to mitigation, resulting in elevated projected warming and associated changes in hydrology and extreme events across the watershed boundary.

Based on this analysis, the most intense increases in extreme heat events are concentrated along the Coachella Valley floor and eastern portions of the planning area, reflecting the combined effects of desert climate, topography, and urban heat amplification. When evaluating extreme thresholds (days exceeding

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114°F), 2045–2074, very high heat days expand substantially in frequency and spatial coverage, particularly across the central Valley floor and southeastern planning area.

Extreme precipitation projections show a more complex pattern. While total annual rainfall remains low in this arid system, the proportion of precipitation falling in intense events increases across much of the planning area by mid-century. The 2045–2074 analysis indicates a higher percentage of total rainfall delivered through extreme precipitation events compared to 2015–2044, particularly across portions of the western and central Coachella Valley. This suggests greater variability, with longer dry periods punctuated by more intense storm bursts, conditions that elevate flash flood risk, debris flow potential in foothill areas, and stormwater management challenges along the Valley floor.

3.7.3.1 Additional On-Going Climate Change Analysis
Potential climate change impacts on the region’s water supplies are also being evaluated as part of the Indio Subbasin and Mission Creek Subbasin Alternative Plan Updates. It is expected that climate change could lead to increased water use in the region with higher temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns. This impact has not been explicitly quantified, but has been considered as part of the range of uncertainty in future demand estimates.

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Chapter 4 Coachella Valley Water District

4.1 Introduction
This chapter presents information specific to the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) for compliance with the UWMP Act. As an urban water supplier, CVWD is required to prepare an UWMP every five years in response to the requirements of the UWMP Act, CWC Sections 10610 through 10656. This RUWMP serves to meet the UWMP Act requirements for the six participating agencies, and this chapter contains information specific to CVWD.

Background about the preparation of the RUWMP and the changes in the CWC requirements is presented in Chapter 1 of the RUWMP. The relation of the RUWMP to other planning efforts is described in Chapter 3 of the RUWMP.

4.1.1 Chapter Organization
This chapter is organized into the sections recommended by the 2025 UWMP Guidebook prepared by DWR.
• Section 4.1 - Introduction. Provides a discussion on the fundamentals of the UWMP and the required Lay Description of the UWMP. Each UWMP must include a Lay Description of how much water the agency has on a reliable basis, how much it needs for the foreseeable future, what the agency’s strategy is for meeting its water needs, the challenges facing the agency, and any other information necessary to provide a general understanding. • Section 4.2 - Plan Preparation. Provides information on CVWD’s process for developing the UWMP, including efforts in coordination and outreach.
• Section 4.3 - Service Area Description. Includes maps of the service area, a description of the service area and climate, public water systems, and CVWD’s organizational structure and history. • Section 4.4 - Water Use Characterization. Describes and quantifies the current and projected urban water uses within CVWD’s service area.
• Section 4.5 – SB7x7 Baselines, 2020 Targets, and 2025 Reporting. Describes CVWD’s methods for calculating baseline and 2020 target urban water consumption and reporting 2020 target compliance from the 2020 UWMP.
• Section 4.6 - Water Supply Characterization. Describes and quantifies current and projected sources of urban water available to CVWD. Includes discussion of potential recycled water uses and supply availability.
• Section 4.7 - Water Service Reliability and Drought Risk Assessment. Describes the reliability of CVWD’s water supply and projects reliability for the next 25 years. Includes an analysis for normal years, single dry years, and a five-consecutive-year drought. • Section 4.8 - Water Shortage Contingency Plan. Refers to the appendix which provides CVWD’s staged plan for dealing with water shortages, including a catastrophic supply interruption. • Section 4.9 - Demand Management Measures. Describes CVWD’s efforts to promote conservation and to reduce demand through demand management measures. • Section 4.10 - Plan Adoption, Submittal, and Implementation. Describes the steps taken by CVWD to adopt and submit the UWMP and to make it publicly available. Includes a discussion of CVWD’s plan to implement the UWMP.
• Appendices. Each Supplier may have information that is best appended to the 2025 UWMP, to support and further clarify information included in the main chapters.

4.1.2 RUWMP in Relation to Other Efforts
The related planning efforts by agencies in the Coachella Valley are described in Chapter 3 of the RUWMP.

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4.1.3 RUWMP and Grant or Loan Eligibility
CVWD has prepared and adopted this 2025 UWMP, including compliance with water conservation requirements, and is therefore eligible for State water grants or loans as required by CWC Sections 10608.56 and 10656.

4.1.4 Demonstration of Consistency with the Delta Plan for Participants in Covered Actions The participating agencies’ approach to demonstrating reduced reliance on the Delta is discussed in Chapter 3 of the RUWMP. The analysis of reduced Delta reliance is provided in Appendix B.

4.2 Plan Preparation
This section provides information on CVWD’s process for developing this RUWMP, including efforts in coordination and outreach. CVWD notified Riverside County and the cities within CVWD’s service area during preparation of the RUWMP and WSCP as required by CWC Section 10642. The RWUMP website (https://www.cvrwmg.org/uwmp/) was updated and stakeholders were notified via email of availability of the Public Draft RUWMP and planned public hearing dates. Community members and the public were encouraged to attend and provide comments.

4.2.1 Plan Preparation
In accordance with the CWC section 10621, urban water suppliers must develop a UWMP every five years.

Under CWC Section 10617, an “urban water supplier” is a supplier providing water for municipal purposes to more than 3,000 service connections or supplying 3,000 AFY or more. CVWD supplies approximately 100,000 AFY to over 100,000 municipal service connections and, therefore, surpasses both the volumetric delivery and number of connections thresholds and has prepared a 2025 UWMP.

4.2.2 Basis for Preparing a Plan
CVWD serves municipal customers through two public water systems, summarized in Table 4-1. This chapter and the RUWMP meet reporting requirements for both systems. In March 2021, CVWD’s ID No. 11 system was consolidated into the Cove Community system, and they are now treated as a consolidated system for reporting purposes.

Table 4-1. DWR 2-1R Public Water Systems
Public Water System Number Public Water System Name
Number of Municipal
Connections 2025
Volume of Water
Supplied 2025 (AF)
CA3310001 CVWD - Cove Community 112,974 96,842
CA3310048 CVWD - ID No. 8 1,686 3,048
Total 114,660 99,890

4.2.3 Regional Planning
The regional planning efforts of water supply agencies in the Coachella Valley are described in Chapters 2 and 3 of the RUWMP.

The UWMP Act allows water agencies to prepare their plans either individually or by participating in an area-wide, regional, watershed, or basin-wide urban water management plan. CVWD is participating in the Coachella Valley RUWMP.

4.2.4 Individual or Regional Planning and Compliance
The Water Conservation Act of 2009 allows agencies to report progress toward achieving water conservation targets on an individual or regional basis. The agencies have not created a Regional Alliance for the purposes of measuring and reporting water conservation targets.

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4.2.5 Fiscal or Calendar Year and Units of Measure
This UWMP reports water use on a calendar year basis, and all volumes are expressed in units of acrefeet (AF), unless otherwise indicated. CVWD is a retail agency and does not currently sell wholesale water.

Table 4-2 shows CVWD’s supplier identification information used throughout this report.

Table 4-2. DWR 2-3 Supplier Identification
Information Supplier Identification
Type of Supplier Supplier is a retail supplier
Fiscal or Calendar Year UWMP Tables are in calendar years Unit of Measure Used in UWMP AF

4.2.6 Coordination and Outreach
CVWD does not receive water from a wholesale supplier and meets all its water demands through its own supplies. CVWD does not currently provide wholesale water to other water agencies.

Outreach and coordination with other local agencies during RUWMP preparation, including notices to the cities and counties within the region, are described in Chapter 1 of the RUWMP.

4.3 Service Area Description
This section describes the CVWD urban water service area, population, and demographics as required by CWC Section 10631.

4.3.1 General Description
CVWD was formed in 1918 under the County Water District Act provisions of the CWC. In 1937, CVWD absorbed the responsibilities of the Coachella Valley Stormwater District that had been formed in 1915.

CVWD now encompasses approximately 640,000 acres, mostly within Riverside County, but also extending into northwestern Imperial and northeastern San Diego counties.

CVWD is governed by a board of five directors, elected by district voters to four-year terms. Each director lives in and represents one of five directorial divisions in the district and is elected by voters who also reside in that division.

CVWD is a Colorado River water importer and a SWP Contractor, bringing imported water supplies into the Valley for direct use and replenishment. Colorado River water allocations are directly imported via the Coachella Branch of the All-American Canal. No connection exists to the SWP, but CVWD receives SWP allocations through an in-kind exchange with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD).

CVWD receives Colorado River Water originally allocated to MWD, and MWD receives an equivalent volume from its SWP connection. The water-related services provided by CVWD include:
• Domestic water delivery
• Irrigation water delivery and agricultural drainage
• Wastewater collection, treatment, and recycling
• Stormwater and flood protection
• Groundwater replenishment
• Water conservation
CVWD is the largest urban water supplier in the Coachella Valley with over 100,000 municipal connections.

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4.3.1.1 Domestic Water Delivery
CVWD’s domestic water system has 62 pressure zones and consists of approximately 92 groundwater production wells, 2,075 miles of distribution pipelines, and 174.5 million gallons (MG) of storage in 68 enclosed reservoirs (CVWD 2025b, CVWD 2025e). Water quality is generally good with limited need for wellhead treatment (i.e., chlorination), but additional treatment is planned or implemented for certain constituents (e.g., hexavalent chromium).

4.3.1.2 Irrigation Water Delivery and Agricultural Drainage CVWD’s irrigation system provides Colorado River water to over 1,200 customers covering over 63,000 acres via the 123-mile, concrete-lined, Coachella Branch of the All-American Canal. The irrigation distribution system consists of 485 miles of buried pipe, 16 pumping plants, and 1,300 AF of storage.

Due to a high perched groundwater table and concentration of salts in irrigated soils within CVWD’s service area, an agricultural drainage system is necessary. CVWD operates and maintains an agricultural drainage system consisting of 166 miles of buried pipe ranging in size from 18 inches to 72 inches in diameter and 21 miles of open channels to serve as a drainage network for irrigated lands. The system receives water from on-farm drainage lines. In most areas, the drainage system flows to the CVSC. However, in areas near the Salton Sea, several open channels convey flows directly to the sea.

4.3.1.3 Wastewater Collection, Treatment, and Recycling CVWD’s wastewater reclamation system collects and treats approximately 17 MGD from more than 105,000 residential and commercial user accounts. The system consists of approximately 1,100 miles of collection piping and five WRPs. Some portions of the CVWD service area remain on septic systems.

CVWD operates five WRPs, two of which (WRP-7 and WRP-10) generate recycled water for irrigation of golf courses and large landscape areas. WRP-7 is located in north Indio and is a 5.0 MGD secondary treatment facility with current tertiary treatment capacity of 2.5 MGD (2,800 AFY). The tertiary treated wastewater is used for irrigation of golf courses at Sun City in north Palm Desert and Shadow Hills in north Indio. WRP-10 is located in the City of Palm Desert and is an 18 MGD secondary treatment facility with a current tertiary treatment capacity of 15 MGD (16,800 AFY). WRP-7 and WRP-10 both deliver a blend of recycled water and Canal water for irrigation of golf courses, municipal, and HOA landscaping. The blend proportion depends on customer demands with CVWD’s goal to beneficially reuse as much recycled water as possible; Canal water is used to augment supply for peak demands. CVWD is also planning to add tertiary treatment at WRP-4, in the unincorporated community of Thermal. CVWD’s remaining two plants, WRP-1 and WRP-2, are small facilities with no current plans for water recycling.

The recycled water distribution systems serve a total of 25 customer accounts through 31 miles of currently active pressurized distribution pipelines. Infrastructure improvements are underway to extend the pressurized distribution pipeline network and connect to approximately 20 additional customers by 2030.

The primary focus of the recycled water system is to provide non-potable water to golf courses and other large landscapes, such as HOAs, churches, schools, and other publicly owned properties, to offset groundwater pumping for landscape irrigation.

4.3.1.4 Stormwater and Flood Protection
CVWD provides regional flood protection for its stormwater unit within the Coachella Valley. CVWD’s stormwater unit extends from the Whitewater River GRF to Salton City, encompassing approximately 380,000 acres. CVWD’s regional flood control system consists of a series of debris basins, levees, and stormwater channels that divert floodwaters from the canyons and alluvial fans surrounding the Coachella Valley to the 50-mile Coachella Valley Stormwater Channel that flows to the Salton Sea.

4.3.1.5 Groundwater Replenishment
CVWD has operated and maintained recharge facilities at the Whitewater River GRF (formerly referred to as the Whitewater Spreading Area) in the West Indio Subbasin since 1919, first with local surface runoff and, since 1973, with imported SWP exchange water. The Whitewater River GRF has a series of 19 ponds

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covering 700 acres adjacent to the Whitewater River. Local runoff and SWP water deliveries are transported to the ponds via the Whitewater River channel and then diverted into the recharge ponds at two locations by diversion structures. Since its introduction in 1973, over 4.68 million AF have been recharged at this facility. Desert Water Agency (DWA) shares in the operation and maintenance cost at the Whitewater River GRF to replenish groundwater using SWP exchange water.

The Palm Desert GRF, also located in the West Indio Subbasin, began operation in February 2019.

Colorado River water is delivered to the facility through the Mid-Valley Pipeline. The facility consists of five ponds covering 20 acres with a maximum design capacity of 10,000 AFY. Since 2019, approximately 71,551 AF have been recharged through Phase I of the project. Phase II of the project will consist of three ponds covering 25 acres in the CVSC with a maximum design capacity of 15,000 AFY. The timeline for Phase II is presently undetermined.

Located in the Mission Creek Subbasin, the Mission Creek GRF was constructed in 2002 and is operated by CVWD and DWA through a cost sharing agreement, with a resolution of support from MSWD. The facility receives SWP exchange water and consists of twelve percolation ponds located adjacent to Mission Creek in northern Coachella Valley. Replenishment at the facility began in late 2002 and, as of calendar year 2025, approximately 187,995 AF have been recharged.

Recharge began at the Thomas E. Levy GRF in 2009. The Thomas E. Levy GRF, located on the western slope of the East Coachella Valley in the East Indio Subbasin, consists of 39 ponds covering 163 acres with a design capacity of 40,000 AFY. Replenishment at Thomas E. Levy GRF has been curtailed since 2022 due to voluntary reductions in Colorado River water use under the Lower Colorado River Basin Conservation and Efficiency Program. While groundwater replenishment was reduced at this facility, the long history of consistent recharge at Thomas E. Levy GRF has resulted in increased long-term water levels and has helped maintain groundwater levels in the East Valley.

Two pilot facilities were previously utilized for groundwater replenishment, but have since ceased operations. CVWD began recharging Colorado River water from the Coachella Canal at the Dike 4 Pilot Facility in 1997 and at the Martinez Canyon Pilot Facility in 2005. . Both pilot facilities have been discontinued. Including Thomas E. Levy GRF, a total of approximately 522,600 AF has been recharged to the East Indio Subbasin since 1997.

4.3.2 Service Area Boundary
CVWD’s service area spans approximately 1,000 square miles, from Desert Hot Springs to the Salton Sea.

The existing distribution system mainly serves urban and suburban areas and includes service to golf resorts. Small water systems, private domestic wells, and private irrigation wells still serve water users, primarily in undeveloped and agricultural areas in the East Valley within CVWD’s jurisdictional service area boundary. The CVWD jurisdictional boundary and current service area are shown in Figure 4-1.

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Figure 4-1. CVWD Jurisdictional Boundary

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4.3.3 Service Area Climate
CVWD’s service area is located in the Colorado River Hydrologic Region as defined by DWR. Most of the Colorado River region has a subtropical desert climate with hot summers and short, mild winters. The mountain ranges on the northern and western borders, in particular the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains, create a rain shadow effect for most of the region. Annual average rainfall amounts on the Valley floor range from a little over 6 inches to less than 3 inches. Most of the precipitation for the region occurs in the winter and spring. However, monsoonal thunderstorms, spawned by the movement of subtropical air from the south, can occur in the summer and generate significant rainfall in some years. For example, August 2023 rainfall due to the remnants of Tropical Storm Hilary resulted in significant infrastructure and property damage throughout Riverside County. Higher annual rainfall amounts and milder summer temperatures occur in the mountains to the north and west.

Data from climate stations in Palm Springs and Thermal (Desert Resorts Regional Airport) represents climate in the CVWD service area. Monthly average temperature reaches as high as 108 degrees Fahrenheit (F) and monthly average low temperatures are 38 degrees F. Precipitation typically occurs during the winter months with an annual mean rainfall of approximately 5.5 inches in Palm Springs and 3.0 inches in Thermal. Average minimum and maximum temperature, total precipitation, and evapotranspiration (Eto) at the Palm Springs and Thermal climate stations are summarized in Table 4-3 and Table 4-4, respectively.

Table 4-3. Monthly Average Climate Data (Palm Springs)
Parameter Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual Average Max.

Temperature (F)
71 74 81 87 95 104 109 108 102 91 79 69 89
Average Minimum
Temperature (F)
48 50 54 59 66 73 79 80 74 65 53 46 62
Average Total
Precipitation (in)

1.1 1.1 0.5 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.7 4.6
Evapotranspiration,
ETo (in)

2.5 3.4 5.6 7.1 8.3 8.7 8.1 7.5 6.2 4.7 2.9 2.2 67.2
Notes:

Temperature and Precipitation from National Weather Service Forecast office, Station Palm Springs Airport. Data from 1991through 2020. Accessed through https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=sgx ETo Data from California Irrigation Management Information System (CIMIS) Station 208, La Quinta II. Data from February 2007 through December 2020.

Table 4-4. Monthly Average Climate Data (Thermal)
Parameter Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual Average Max.

Temperature (F)
71 74 81 87 95 103 107 106 101 91 79 69 89
Average Minimum
Temperature (F)
39 43 49 55 63 69 76 75 68 57 45 38 56
Average Total
Precipitation (in)

0.64 0.61 0.34 0.08 0.01 0.01 0.13 0.12 0.32 0.19 0.17 0.34 2.96 Evapotranspiration, ETo
(in)

2.7 3.9 6.4 8.0 9.3 9.3 9.6 9.1 7.1 5.3 3.2 2.4 70.2
Notes:

Temperature and Precipitation from National Weather Service Forecast office, Station Desert Resorts Regional Airport. Data from 1991 through 2020. Accessed through https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=sgx CIMIS Monthly Average ETo Report for Thermal South – Station 218 (data for 2010 through 2020)

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Climate change could impact demands and supplies within CVWD’s service area. A discussion of these potential changes is included in Chapter 3 of the RUWMP.

4.3.4 Service Area Population and Demographics
This section describes the population and demographics within CVWD’s service area. CVWD’s service area includes all or a portion of the cities of Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta, Palm Desert, and Rancho Mirage, and unincorporated areas of Riverside County.

Current and projected demographics within CVWD’s service area were developed by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) as part of the 2024 Regional Transportation Plan, referred to as Connect SoCal (SCAG, 2024). As part of that effort, SCAG performed a detailed evaluation of current and projected future demographics throughout southern California, including the study area for the RUWMP. The Connect SoCal analysis included forecasts for employment, population, and households within cities and unincorporated areas. This demographic information was used to prepare projections of future water demands.

The growth forecasts in SCAG’s Connect SoCal plan included estimates of population, households, and employment through 2050. The 2024 Connect SoCal update projects that the population of Riverside County will increase by approximately 50% through 2050. The 2024 update also notes that the region’s population decline between 2019 and 2023 and attributes this decrease to COVID-19 pandemic impacts.

Traffic and visitation declined during the pandemic but has recovered to or exceeded pre-pandemic levels in most communities. SCAG notes that the median age is increasing and unpredictable events like the COVID-19 pandemic may cause significant deviations from projected long-term trends.

An important consideration affecting per capita water use in the Coachella Valley is the region’s large seasonal population, which is not counted by the federal Census or other demographic data. Due to its mild winter climate and recreational opportunities, Coachella Valley is a popular destination for “snowbirds,” people whose primary residence is outside the Valley but may live there for three to six months during the winter period. In addition, there are people who maintain second homes in Coachella Valley and use them for shorter periods of time throughout the year to participate in various sports, entertainment, and recreational activities. The visitor population also makes use of Coachella Valley’s hotel/motel/time-share resorts as well as mobile home parks. These properties use water year-round to maintain outdoor landscapes even when not occupied during the summer months.

To estimate service area population, both permanent residents and seasonal residents were estimated.

Estimates of the permanent population were made using SCAG housing estimates, housing density, and water meter connections. The water service area shown in Figure 4-1 was intersected with 2019 housing totals from SCAG’s Connect SoCal 2024 growth projection (SCAG, 2024). Household totals for 2025 were estimated by multiplying the 2019 totals by the growth in residential meter connections from 2019 to 2025.

The permanent population was estimated by multiplying the 2025 household totals by the number of persons per household for each jurisdiction within CVWD’s service area using Census data. The seasonal population was then estimated by dividing the permanent population totals by the occupancy rate from the Census for each jurisdiction to determine the number of housing units in CVWD’s service area, and multiplying the total number of housing units by the difference between the average vacancy rate for California and the vacancy rate of each jurisdiction in CVWD’s service area. This resulting number was used for the seasonal population estimate. Lastly, the population in Recreational Vehicle (RV) parks was estimated using RV and population data from the Census. The recent and projected future service area population is shown in Table 4-5.

Table 4-5. DWR 3-1R Current and Projected Population
Population Served 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050
Permanent 229,269 264,659 300,049 307,475 314,901 322,327 Seasonal 78,710 87,751 96,793 97,742 98,692 99,642
RV Parks 1,111 1,111 1,111 1,111 1,111 1,111
Total 309,090 353,521 397,952 406,328 414,703 423,079

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4.3.5 Land Uses within Service Area
The cities within the CVWD service area are identified in Section 4.3.4 and are shown in Figure 4-1. These cities participated in the development of SCAG’s Connect SoCal plan, which included an intensive outreach and coordination effort with land use jurisdictions. The use of SCAG’s growth forecast for water demand estimations means that the projections reflect patterns and expectations for land use within the service area.

Additionally, to support the demand forecast, CVWD reached out to each of the cities within the Coachella Valley to request information on additional known development plans or approvals that may not have been included in the 2024 Connect SoCal effort. This information has been incorporated into the RUWMP demand forecast.

Existing land use in the CVWD service area is a mixture of urban uses (residential, commercial, industrial, and civic), agriculture, golf courses, and open space. As noted in the 2018 IRWM/SWR Plan, an important trend in Coachella Valley is the conversion of farmland to urban uses although this trend has been slower than initially projected Figure 4-2 shows existing land use within the Coachella Valley derived from SCAG’s Connect SoCal 2024 (SGAC, 2024).

4.4 Water Use Characterization
This section presents CVWD’s baseline and projected urban water system demands. To provide an adequate long-range view of future water needs, this report uses a 25-year planning period from 2025 to 2050. This RUWMP will serve as a source document for future water supply assessments and written supply verifications until the next 5-year UWMP update.

4.4.1 Non-Potable Versus Potable Water Use
CVWD produces a majority of its water supplies from the Indio and Mission Creek Subbasins, which are continuously replenished through CVWD and DWA water supply projects and programs. The Indio and Mission Creek Subbasins are regionally managed by the six participating agencies in this RUWMP.

In addition to groundwater, CVWD uses non-potable Colorado River water and recycled water to meet landscape irrigation demands within its service area.

4.4.2 Water Use by Sector
Water use is broken down by sector as discussed in the following subsections. Currently, all potable urban water use is supplied by groundwater.

The urban demand sectors listed in CWC §10631 that apply to CVWD are summarized in Table 4-6.

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Figure 4-2. Land Use in the Coachella Valley

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Table 4-6. Water Use Sectors
Sector Discussion for CVWD
Single Family
Residence
A single-family dwelling unit is defined as a lot with a free-standing building containing one dwelling unit that may include a detached secondary dwelling. A relatively high percentage of these meters serve properties that are used seasonally.

Future single-family residences are expected to use less water than existing properties due to the mandated use of high efficiency plumbing fixtures under the CalGreen building standards, increased conservation due to the implementation of CWC 10642, and reduced landscape water use mandated by CVWD’s Landscape Ordinance.

Multi-Family Multiple dwelling units contained within one building or several buildings within one complex.

Within the CVWD service area, multi-family demand includes customers with more than one dwelling unit such as duplexes, triplexes, apartments, other multiple dwelling properties, and mobile home and recreational vehicle parks served by a master meter. Many of these connections serve properties that are used seasonally. Future multi-family residences are expected to use less water than existing properties due to the mandated use of high efficiency plumbing fixtures under the CalGreen building standards, increased conservation due to the implementation of CWC 10642, and reduced landscape water use mandated by CVWD’s Landscape Ordinance and California’s AB 1572.

Commercial A water user that provides or distributes a product or service. Commercial use includes businesses, commercial properties, restaurants, hotels, and motels. Most existing and all new commercial customers are required to have separate landscape irrigation services.

Future commercial water use is expected to be lower in response to CalGreen requirements, increased conservation due to the implementation of CWC 10642, and reduced landscape water use mandated by California’s AB 1572.

Industrial An industrial water user is primarily a manufacturer or processor of materials as defined by the North American Industry Classification System code sectors 31 to 33, inclusive, or an entity that is a water user primarily engaged in research and development. CVWD does not currently classify any of its users as industrial.

Institutional and
Governmental
Institutional and governmental water users are dedicated to public service. This user class typically includes schools, higher education institutions, courts, churches, hospitals, government facilities, and non-profit research institutions. Future public agency water use is expected to be lower in response to CalGreen requirements, increased conservation due to the implementation of CWC 10642, and reduced landscape water use mandated by California’s AB 1572.

Landscape Landscape connections supply water solely for landscape irrigation. Such connections may be associated with large single family properties or multi-family, commercial, or institutional/governmental sites, but are considered a separate water use sector because the connection is solely for landscape irrigation. Many of these connections serve the common area landscaping of homeowner’s associations and parks. CVWD’s Landscape Ordinance requires the installation of dedicated landscape irrigation meters for all projects except single family homes with a landscape area less than 5,000 square feet. Future landscape usage is expected to decrease due to implementation of CVWD’s Landscape Ordinance that requires improved irrigation efficiency and reduced allowable water use and California’s AB 1572, which prohibits the use of potable water to irrigate non-functional turf on commercial, industrial, and institutional properties and Homeowner’s Association common areas.

Groundwater
Recharge
As described in Chapter 3 of the RUWMP, CVWD and DWA use imported water to replenish groundwater supplies in the Valley. This water is non-potable, and this use is not included CVWD’s municipal demands on the urban water system.

Agricultural CVWD does not deliver potable water through its urban water system for agricultural use.

Agricultural users rely on Canal water delivered through the agricultural irrigation system and pumped groundwater, and this usage is considered in the Alternative Plans approved for SGMA compliance.

Distribution
System Losses
Non-revenue water is considered the difference between production and measured consumption. Non-revenue water includes distribution system losses as well as authorized non-billed water uses, such as firefighting and flushing.

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In addition to the uses specified in the water code, CVWD provides water for temporary construction activities. Construction use represents less than 1 percent of total water use and varies based on construction activity. Construction use is classified as “Other” water use in subsequent tables of this report.

4.4.3 Demands Not Served by the CVWD Urban Water System CVWD operates several separate non-potable water systems that do not serve urban water customers.

The agricultural irrigation, golf course irrigation, and groundwater recharge uses are not served from CVWD’s urban water system, but they are described below to provide a complete picture of CVWD’s water supply operations. Consequently, with the exception of recycled water, these non-potable uses are not included in DWR’s standardized tables.

The Coachella Canal non-potable water distribution system was constructed to deliver Colorado River water for agricultural and irrigation uses in the East Valley. Currently, Canal water supplies agriculture, golf course irrigation, fish farming operations, duck clubs, and recreational lake uses. Agricultural use represents the largest use of Canal water in the Coachella Valley. Agricultural uses in areas that do not have access to Canal water are served by private groundwater wells; no agricultural irrigation is served by CVWD’s urban water system. As urban development occurs in the East Valley, a portion of the agricultural land may convert to urban land uses and reduce agricultural demand for Colorado River water.

There are approximately 101 golf courses within the CVWD service area. These golf courses are served by private wells or non-potable water sources. CVWD serves non-potable water from the Coachella Canal, the Mid-Valley Pipeline, or a blend of tertiary-treated recycled water and Canal water to approximately 44 golf courses for irrigation in-lieu of pumping from private groundwater wells. CVWD is actively expanding the non-potable delivery system, with the goal of fully utilizing its available recycled water, augmented with Canal water during peak demands. These in-lieu delivery programs help reduce groundwater overdraft and the need for direct groundwater replenishment. No significant golf course irrigation is served by CVWD’s urban water system.

CVWD recycles water for golf courses and other large landscapes at WRP-7 in north Indio and WRP-10 in Palm Desert, as described in Section 4.6. While recycled water deliveries to municipal uses (e.g., homeowners associations, schools, churches) are included in this RUWMP, recycled water deliveries to golf courses are not considered part of the urban water system.

4.4.3.1 Distribution System Losses
CVWD prepares annual water audits using the American Water Works Association (AWWA) Free Water Audit Software. The reporting and results for the past five years are summarized in Table 4-7. The numbers in Table 4-7 are the reported total losses, including apparent losses and real losses. The audit reports are included in Appendix E.

Table 4-7. DWR 4-5 Water Loss Audit Reporting
Report Period Start Date Volume of Water Loss (AF) Submitted to DWR MM YYYY Total of CVWD Public Water Systems Water Loss Audit Program 07 2021 10,610 yes
07 2022 8,610 yes
07 2023 8,371 yes
07 2024 10,732 yes
07 2025 8,601 yes
CVWD reports water loss for its two distribution systems (Cove Communities and ID8) separately and has separate performance standards for each system. The real water loss performance standard for CVWD’s Cove Communities distribution system is 41.9 gallons per connection per day, a 7 percent reduction from the State estimated baseline of 45.1 gallons per connection per day. The real water loss performance standard for CVWD’s ID8 distribution system is 1,554.9 gallons per mile per day, with no reduction from the

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State estimated baseline. Suppliers will be required to submit a registry of breaks, repairs, and estimates of water loss every three years, beginning in 2029 for the 2025 through 2027 period. Water losses for the supplied data period will be assessed compared to the performance standard. CVWD’s total water loss currently averages about 67 gallons per connection per day, with the most recent reporting year averaging 25 gallons of real water loss per connection per day for the Cove and ID08 systems combined. Table 4-8 shows CVWD’s progress towards the 2028 Water Loss Standard.

Table 4-8. DWR 4-6R Progress Towards 2028 Water Loss Standard Public Water
System ID #
Reported in
Submittal
Table 2-1 R
Did the
Water Board
Calculate a
Water Loss
Standard for
this Public
Water
System?
Real Water Loss
State Water Board Standard
Most Recent AWWA Water
Loss Audit
Real Water
Loss Per
Unit per Day
2028 Real
Water Loss
Standard per
Unit per day
Units for
Real Water
Loss
Drop down
list
Number of
Units
(Connections
or Miles)
Volume of
Total Real
Loss (from
AWWA Water
Loss Audit)
(AF)
CA3310001 Yes 41.9 Gallons per
Service
Connection
per Day
(GPSCD)
113,163 2,968 23.4
CA3310048 Yes 1,554.9 Gallons per
Mile per Day
(GPMD)
1,776 235 2,003
Public Water
System ID #
Reported in
Submittal
Table 2-1 R
Did the
Water Board
Calculate a
Water Loss
Standard for
this Public
Water
System?
Apparent Water Loss
State Water Board Standard
Most Recent AWWA Water
Loss Audit
Apparent
Water Loss
Per Unit per
Day
2028 Apparent
Water Loss
Standard per
Unit per Day
Units for
Apparent
Water Loss
Number of
Connections
Volume of
Total Apparent
Loss
(from AWWA
Water Loss
Audit) (AF)
CA3310001 Yes 42.9 Gallons per
Service
Connection
per Day
(GPSCD)
113,163 5,353 42.2
CA3310048 Yes 135.4 Gallons per
Service
Connection
per Day
(GPSCD)
1,776 44.9 22.6
Note: Water Loss Audit numbers are from Fiscal Year 2025 AWWA Reports

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4.4.3.2 Summary of Current Uses
The uses in CVWD’s urban water system for 2020 through 2025 are summarized in Table 4-9.

Table 4-9. DWR 4-1R Total Uses for Potable and Non-Potable Water — Actual Use Type
Additional
Description
Level of
Treatment
When
Delivered 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Single Family Potable 52,202 53,593 52,285 49,072 51,865 51,556 Multi-Family Potable 6,609 6,755 6,741 6,393 6,580 6,604 Commercial Potable 4243 4832 4998 4986 5229 5,345
Institutional/
Governmental
Potable 1941 1156 1151 1060 1140 1,133
Landscape Served by
Dedicated
Landscape
Meters
Potable 22,829 24,030 23,679 21,367 22,682 22,551
Other Construction Potable 902 1,393 1,915 1,807 2,542 1,833 Other Non-Revenue Potable 11,117 9,787 9,297 8,402 9,248 9,978 Subtotal Potable 99,843 101,546 100,066 93,087 99,287 99,000 Landscape Blend of WRP7, WRP-10
and/or Canal
water
NonPotable676 750 749 689 585 890
Subtotal Non-Potable 676 750 749 689 585 890
Total 100,519 102,296 100,815 93,776 99,872 99,890
Note: Non-revenue water is the difference between production and customer billing. It includes losses and authorized, non-billed consumption.

4.4.4 Demand Forecast
CVWD is participating in the preparation of both the 2027 Indio and Mission Creek Subbasin Alternative Plan Updates to meet requirements of SGMA. The RUWMP agencies coordinated efforts with demand projections prepared for the Alternative Plan Updates. The demand projection approach included the following steps:

1. The projections were based on SCAG’s regional growth forecast prepared as part of their Regional Transportation Plan, Connect SoCal 2024. SCAG gathered input from cities and counties throughout Southern California about expected growth and development for the next 25 years and incorporated the land use designations in each jurisdiction’s General Plan. The SCAG analysis includes estimates of population, households, and employment in each Traffic Analysis Zone (TAZ) in their study area (SCAG 2024). Population, households, and employment in CVWD’s service area are projected to increase through 2050.

2. Additional analysis of vacancy rates was performed to estimate baseline and projected housing units for the study area, including housing units used by seasonal residents and other part-time users.

3. Baseline and projected estimates of employment were used to drive future growth in Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional (CII) demands.

4. Five years of customer billing data (2020 to 2024) were used to develop unit demand factors specific to the CVWD service area. These factors have units of gallons per housing unit for residential and landscape uses and gallons per employee for CII uses.

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5. Water losses were estimated using water loss audits from the last five years (2020 to 2024).

6. Demands were adjusted for the following types of conservation savings:
• Indoor conservation savings from the natural replacement of indoor devices and plumbing fixtures, as well as increased conservation due to the implementation of CWC Section 10642, “Making Conservation a California Way of Life”.
• Outdoor water use reduction at new developments from the implementation of CVWD’s Landscape Ordinance.
• Outdoor conservation savings from turf replacement due to local rebate programs. • Outdoor conservation savings from the installation of smart irrigation controllers due to local rebate programs.
• Outdoor conservation savings from the implementation of California’s non-functional turf ban (AB 1572).

Projected municipal demands for CVWD’s service area are shown in Table 4-10. Demands are expected to increase from 2030 through 2050, due to the projected increase in SCAG’s household and employee projections for CVWD’s service area. Some areas within CVWD’s service area are currently served by private domestic wells and are not yet connected to the CVWD system. CVWD plans to consolidate and provide service to these areas, but the timing will depend on the availability of grant funding. For planning purposes, all municipal demands within the jurisdictional boundary are included beginning in 2025. CVWD’s actual deliveries will likely be less than these estimates until CVWD begins providing service to these areas.

Table 4-10. DWR 4-2R Projected Retail Demands for Water (AFY) -
Use Type
Additional
Description
Level of
Treatment
Projected Water Use
2030 2035 2040 2045 2050
Single Family Potable 53,944 54,725 54,504 54,453 54,401 Multi-Family Potable 7,152 7,844 7,897 8,015 8,132
Commercial Potable 4,678 4,553 4,623 4,705 4,790
Institutional/
Governmental
Potable 1,242 1,209 1,227 1,249 1,272
Landscape Served by
Dedicated
Landscape Meters
Potable 17,411 17,753 18,273 18,792 19,312
Other Construction Potable 1,623 1,623 1,623 1,623 1,623 Losses Non-Revenue Potable 9,782 10,179 10,368 10,558 10,747 Subtotal Potable 95,833 97,886 98,516 99,394 100,276
Landscape Blend of WRP-7,
WRP-10 and/or
Canal water
Non-Potable 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898
Subtotal Non-Potable 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898
Total 98,731 100,784 101,414 102,292 103,174
Source: Based on demand projections in draft Alternative Plan Updates for Indio Subbasin and Mission Creek Subbasin.

4.4.4.1 Conservation Savings
Demand projections prepared for this RUWMP considered anticipated future water savings (summarized in Step 6 above). The analysis included indoor savings related to toilets, showerheads, dishwashers, clothes washers, faucets, and urinals (categorized as indoor water use), as well as outdoor water use.

Indoor conservation is mainly a result of government mandated water efficiency requirements for fixtures, defined as “passive savings.” The model considers these mandates and the average useful life and

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replacement rates for each type of fixture based on standard industry estimates and plumbing fixture saturation studies. It assumes that all new construction complies with the plumbing codes in effect at that time and that when a device is replaced, the new device is also in compliance with the current plumbing codes. Estimated frequency of use for each type of fixture based on a Conservation and Efficiency Potential study by the Pacific Institute were multiplied by the number of housing units to produce the total indoor passive conservation savings (Pacific Institute, 2014).

Anticipated outdoor water use savings were based primarily on irrigation reduction via the implementation of ordinances and incentives for water reduction. One such ordinance is the California Model Water Efficiency Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) which is the standard for outdoor water conservation for the state and the basis for CVWD’s Conservation Ordinance. The resulting water savings from the MWELO are estimated using an Evapotranspiration Adjustment Factor (ETAF) which adjusts the reference ET for plant requirements and irrigation efficiency. Additional outdoor water use savings are anticipated due to the non-functional turf ban, smart irrigation controllers, and turf replacement. AB 1572, passed in 2023, banned the use of potable water to irrigate non-functional turf (i.e. ornamental grass not used for recreation). The ban will go into effect in phases beginning in 2027 and will affect commercial, institutional, and homeowner association owned properties. CVWD also has rebates in place to encourage water conservation through the installment of smart irrigation controllers and turf replacement. These savings are not considered passive as they are implemented through incentives under conservation programs.

The anticipated passive savings due to these measures are summarized in Table 4-11. These savings have been incorporated into the water demand projections presented in Table 4-10.

Table 4-11. DWR 4-4R Passive Water Savings Projections (AFY) Passive Savings 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050
Device Replacement 2,315 4,074 4,974 5,621 6,265
MWELO 1,347 2,426 2,705 2,986 3,268
Non-Functional Turf Ban 5,285 7,047 7,047 7,047 7,047
Total Passive Savings 8,926 13,518 14,697 15,626 16,551

4.4.4.2 Total Gross Water Use
Total projected gross water use, including both potable and recycled use, is shown in Table 4-12. Note that recycled water delivered to municipal uses is reported in the tables with urban water demands to be consistent with the DWR standard tables, but not all recycled water delivered by CVWD is part of the urban water system.

Table 4-12. Total Gross Water Use (AFY)
- 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050
Potable and Raw Water (AFY)
From DWR Table 4-1R and 4-2R
99,000 95,833 97,886 98,516 99,394 100,276
Recycled Water Demand (AFY)
From DWR Table 6-4R
890 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898
Total Water Use 99,890 98,731 100,784 101,414 102,292 103,174

4.4.5 Water Use for Lower Income Households
The SCAG Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) Housing Need by Income Category is used to develop projections of lower income housing units in future years. The percentage of low income households estimated by the RHNA for each city in CVWD’s service was applied to the total SCAG housing units estimated for each city in CVWD’s service area. Averages for Riverside County were used to determine housing units in unincorporated areas served by CVWD.

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2025 Coachella Valley Regional Urban Water Management Plan 4-21
Table 4-13 summarizes the projected water use for additional lower income households assuming the following: (1) the average persons per household remains constant, (2) lower income housing needs are proportional to the projected population growth, and (3) daily water use per capita is equal to the projected per capita water use. Note that lower income household water use projections are included in the total water use projections above.

Table 4-13. Lower Income Housing Units
Jurisdiction 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050
Cathedral City Lower income housing units (2.7
persons per household)
387 773 1,139 1,505 1,871
Water use (AF) 181 364 542 740 938
Indian Wells Lower income housing units (1.8
persons per household)
158 315 421 527 633
Water use (AF) 32 64 83 104 125
Indio Lower income housing units (3.0
persons per household)
262 525 636 747 857
Water use (AF) 50 100 112 128 144
La Quinta Lower income housing units (2.3
persons per household)
555 1,111 1,518 1,925 2,332
Water use (AF) 282 566 758 970 1,181
Palm Desert Lower income housing units (2.0
persons per household)
1,124 2,249 2,250 2,251 2,251
Water use (AF) 297 596 490 411 331
Rancho Mirage Lower income housing units (1.8
persons per household)
1,320 2,640 2,728 2,816 2,904
Water use (AF) 1,034 2,069 2,099 2,138 2,176
Unincorporated
(within CVWD
service area)
Lower income housing units (2.7
persons per household)
1,796 3,591 3,980 4,368 4,757
Water use (AF) 193 386 383 396 408
Total Lower income housing units 5,602 11,204 12,671 14,138 15,605 Water use (AF) 2,071 4,144 4,468 4,886 5,303
Documentation of the codes and ordinances used in development of the demand projections is included in Table 4-14.

Table 4-14. DWR 4-3R Inclusion in Water Use Projections Are Future Water Savings Included
in Projections?
Yes
Citations California Building Code, Title 24, Chapter 4, Division 4.3 California Building Code, Title 24, Chapter 5, Division 5.3 California Water Code §10608.16-10608.44
CVWD Ordinance No. 1302.3 (2017)
CVWD Ordinance No. 1422.3 (May 24, 2016)
Are Lower Income Residential
Demands Included in Projections?
Yes

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2025 Coachella Valley Regional Urban Water Management Plan 4-22

4.4.6 Climate Change Considerations
A regional discussion of potential climate change impacts is included in Chapter 3 of the RUWMP.

Increased temperatures in the Coachella Valley are expected to increase water demands for crop and landscape irrigation, municipal water use, and evaporative losses from canals and open reservoirs.

Increased summer temperatures could draw increased monsoonal flow resulting in more frequent summer thunderstorms. As part of this RUWMP and the associated Alternative Plan Updates, the water suppliers have adopted a consensus approach to modeling the potentials impacts of climate change on local runoff, groundwater recharge, and SWP and Colorado River deliveries. A combination of state- and local-led DMMs may reduce demand for irrigation via landscape ordinances while public outreach and education can lead to reductions in water demands through conservation measures.

4.5 SB X7-7 Baselines, 2020 Targets, and 2025 Reporting With the adoption of the Water Conservation Act of 2009 (SB X7-7), the State set a goal of reducing urban water use by 20 percent by the year 2020. Each retail urban water supplier was required to determine its water use during a baseline period and establish water use targets for the years 2015 and 2020 in order to help the State achieve the 20 percent reduction.

In the 2025 UWMP, water agencies must demonstrate compliance with their established water use target for the year 2020. The SBx7-7 Verification Forms were presented in the 2020 UWMP, Appendix E. This section also demonstrates that CVWD achieved its 2020 water use target in 2020.

4.5.1 SB7x7 Baselines and 2020 Targets
SBx7-7 required urban water suppliers to establish a per capita water use target for 2020 to be calculated by using one of four methods. CVWD selected to use Method 1, which was calculated as 80% of the urban retail water supplier’s baseline per capita daily water use using a 10-year average starting no earlier than 1995. Based on the selected 10-year baseline of 515 GPCD, CVWD’s selected 2020 target was 412 GPCD.

4.5.2 Calculating Population and Gross Water Use
To assess compliance with the 2020 water use target in GPCD, CVWD’s service area population and gross water use were compared to the SBx7-7 target. The gross water used was determined from annual groundwater production records. Meter adjustments, exported water, distribution system storage, recycled water, and process water were not applicable to CVWD’s distribution system. This volume was excluded from the SBx7-7 compliance calculation. CVWD’s water use was calculated as 331 GPCD for year 2020.

4.5.3 Supplier Met 2020 Target in 2020
CVWD met their 2020 target as reflected in Table 4-15 below, which includes their 2020 target and 2020 Actual GPCD. CVWD was not a part of a merger or consolidation and was not a part of an SBx7-7 Regional Alliance target.

4.5.4 Funding Eligibility
As CVWD met their 2020 target, they are eligible to receive water grants or loans from the State of California per CWC Section 10608.56.

Table 4-15 SB X7-7 2020 Target Progress
Was Supplier part of a
merger or consolidation
since 2020?
Regional Alliance Target
or Individual Target?
2020
Target
Actual 2020
GPCD
Did Supplier Achieve
Targeted Reduction for
2020?
No Individual Target 412 331 Yes

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2025 Coachella Valley Regional Urban Water Management Plan 4-23

4.6 Water Supply Characterization
This section describes the existing and future water supplies available to CVWD to meet its potable and non-potable municipal water demands.

4.6.1 Water Supply Analysis Overview
CVWD’s urban water service area is defined as the area served by its potable water distribution system.

Currently, all urban potable water uses are supplied from local groundwater and some urban non-potable uses (e.g., HOA and school irrigation) are served by a blend of non-potable water. The non-potable blend, which includes Canal water and recycled water from WRP-7 and WRP-10, is used to meet both urban and non-urban irrigation demands. This RUWMP reports on urban non-potable uses only. In addition to groundwater and recycled water, CVWD has imported water supplies from the SWP and the Colorado River, which are used to meet non-urban (agricultural and other irrigation) water demands and to replenish the groundwater basin. CVWD’s imported water agreements are described in Chapter 3 of this RUWMP because they support regional basin management and are not directly delivered to urban customers.

Further discussion of regional water supply sources is presented in Chapter 3 of the RUWMP.

4.6.2 Supply Characterization
The types of supply recognized by DWR are presented in the following sections. As shown in Table 4-9, CVWD uses its SWP and Colorado River imported supply for groundwater replenishment and delivers groundwater and non-potable water (blend of recycled water and Canal water) to meet municipal demands.

Groundwater pumpers who extract greater than 25 AFY are metered and pay a Replenishment Assessment Charge (RAC) to support basin management, but these pumpers are assumed to be outside of CVWD’s municipal service areas and are not included in urban supply. Table 4-16 shows the total urban water supply for 2020 through 2025.

Table 4-16. Urban Water Supply 2020-2025 (AFY)
Water Supply Additional Description 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Groundwater Indio Subbasin 96,661 98,484 97,107 90,400 96,346 95,952 Groundwater Mission Creek Subbasin 3,182 3,062 2,960 2,687 2,941 3,048 Non-potable
water
Blend of WRP-7 and
WRP-10 and Coachella
Canal
676 750 749 689 585 890
Total 100,519 102,296 100,815 93,776 99,872 99,890

4.6.2.1 Purchased or Imported Water
CVWD has access to two sources of imported water: Colorado River and State Water Project.

Colorado River
Although CVWD’s Colorado River water rights date back to 1934, its Priority 3(a) entitlement is quantified by the 2003 Quantification Settlement Agreement (QSA) at 330,000 AFY (gross). With additional transfers and acquisitions of conserved water from The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) and Imperial Irrigation District (IID), CVWD’s total gross Colorado Rover entitlement is 453,000 AFY by 2026 and 450,000 AFY by 2077.

CVWD’s Colorado River water is delivered through the Coachella Canal and is used for groundwater replenishment and deliveries to agricultural lands.

More information about CVWD’s Colorado River supplies is included in Chapter 3 of the RUWMP.

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2025 Coachella Valley Regional Urban Water Management Plan 4-24
State Water Project
In 1963, CVWD entered into a contract with the State of California to purchase water from the SWP and became one of the 29 State Water Project Contractors. CVWD does not have the infrastructure to deliver State Project Water directly to its service area and instead relies on a “bucket for bucket” delivery and exchange agreement with MWD. This agreement allows CVWD to trade State Project Water with MWD for equal volumes of Colorado River water delivered through MWD’s Colorado River Aqueduct.

The SWP supply consists of:
• Table A allocation: determined by DWR. CVWD’s maximum contractual Table A allocation is 138,350 AF. However, the actual average annual allocation in the past few years has been less than 50 percent.
• Supplemental water:
o Article 21 – occasionally, high flows in the SWP system create conditions for supplemental water known as Article 21 water, which DWR makes available to SWP Contractors. Article 21 does not count toward Table A allocation.
o Dry Year Water Purchase Program – DWR initiated a dry year water purchase program to acquire water from voluntary sellers such as Yuba County Water Agency to augment the SWP water supplies during dry years. CVWD has an agreement with DWR for the purchase of water under this program.

More information about CVWD’s SWP supplies is included in Chapter 3 of the RUWMP.

Other Imported Water
CVWD has an agreement with Rosedale-Rio Bravo Water Storage District for the purchase of 9,500 AFY, with the option to purchase an additional 7,000 AFY, if available (total of up to 16,500 AFY) through 2035.

The total contractual obligation is 252,500 AF. CVWD exchanges this water with MWD for Colorado River water.

Imported Water Quality
CVWD exchanges its Table A water with MWD for Colorado River water to augment the Indio and Mission Creek Subbasins. Colorado River water is generally of good quality except for containing higher TDS concentration (greater than 500 mg/L) than native groundwater (less than 500 mg/L). TDS consists of minerals and salts dissolved in water, typically resulting from the erosion of natural deposits. The SWRCB DDW has established a secondary MCL of 1,000 mg/L for TDS, with a recommended level of 500 mg/L.

The MCL for TDS concentration is a secondary drinking water standard, meaning that TDS is regulated based on customer acceptance rather than public health.

CVWD is collaborating with the regional water suppliers and other parties to update the Coachella Valley Salt and Nutrient Management Plan (SNMP) for RWQCB approval. Through this collaboration, CVWD hopes to achieve long-term salinity management strategies that are protective of both water quality and quantity.

Due to ammonium perchlorate contamination from manufacturing facilities in Nevada, perchlorate has been detected in Colorado River water. Perchlorate is a substance that can be either naturally occurring or manmade. Currently, perchlorate is a regulated contaminant with a State MCL of 6 μg/L. Capture and treatment of perchlorate contamination began in 1999, and concentrations of perchlorate in the Colorado River have been decreasing ever since. The presence of perchlorate in Colorado River water is not expected to affect the reliability of CVWD's water supply.

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4.6.2.2 Groundwater
Groundwater is the principal source of municipal water supply in the Coachella Valley. CVWD obtains and manages groundwater from both the Indio and Mission Creek Subbasins. The Indio Subbasin is a common groundwater source, which is shared by CVWD, CWA, DWA, Indio, MDMWC, and numerous private groundwater producers. The Mission Creek Subbasin is also a common water supply that is utilized by CVWD, MSWD, and private groundwater producers. More information about local groundwater resources is included in Chapter 3 of the RUWMP.

CVWD extracts groundwater from natural recharge, artificial recharge with imported water, nonconsumptive return flows, and groundwater in storage. Net natural replenishment for the Indio Subbasin averages 52,500 AFY. Groundwater from storage represents the additional pumping, typically in dry years, required to meet demands that exceed natural and imported supplies. Non-consumptive return flows are estimated to be between 29 to 35 percent of groundwater and non-potable water applied to landscapes but not consumed, allowing this portion to percolate back into the aquifer.

CVWD’s total groundwater production for the past five years from the Indio and Mission Creek Subbasins is presented in Table 4-17. In response to growth, CVWD will gradually increase groundwater production to meet demands. CVWD intends to continue meeting its urban water demands with groundwater. In addition, CVWD has enacted water-saving policies such as tiered water rates, landscape irrigation conservation, and its Landscape Ordinance applicable to outdoor water use in new developments.

Table 4-17. DWR 6-1R Groundwater Volume Pumped (AFY)
Groundwater Type Location or Basin Name 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Alluvial Basin Indio Subbasin 96,661 98,484 97,107 90,400 96,346 95,952 Alluvial Basin Mission Creek Subbasin 3,182 3,062 2,960 2,687 2,941 3,048 Total 99,843 101,546 101,546 93,087 99,287 99,000
Numbers do not include groundwater volume pumped from small municipal water systems or private well owners within CVWD’s service area.

In addition to other urban water retail producers, there are private producers who pump directly from the groundwater basin. To manage groundwater levels, CVWD will continue to implement water use efficiency programs for large landscapes and convert the larger producers to non-potable Canal water and recycled water, where feasible. CVWD also works with agencies in the region to replenish the groundwater basin and implement conservation programs.

Groundwater Quality
CVWD’s water quality meets MCLs for monitored primary, secondary, or microbial contaminants. All water provided by CVWD meets all U.S. EPA and SWRCB guidelines (CVWD 2025c).

While CVWD’s domestic water supply meets state and federal standards, drinking water supplied to some service areas does contain low levels of naturally occurring arsenic. All drinking water delivered by CVWD in 2024 complied with the 10 microgram per liter (μg/L) maximum contaminant level (MCL).

Nitrate (as nitrogen) in drinking water at levels above 10 milligrams per liter (mg/L) is a health risk for infants.

Wells with nitrate (as nitrogen) levels above 10 mg/L are removed from service.

The federal MCLs for PFAS, specifically PFOA and PFOS, of 4.0 parts per trillion (ppt) were set in April 2024. CVWD is actively monitoring and testing its water system for PFAS chemicals and is working to comply with federal advisories effective in 2027 and 2029.

In October 2024, the SWRCB approved the country’s first drinking water standard for hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) at 10 μg/L. CVWD reports a range of chromium-6 results from non-detect to 21 μg/L collected from voluntary monitoring performed prior to the State's adoption of the chromium-6 MCL. As of November 2025, testing shows that about one-third (33 of 92) of the wells in CVWD’s Cove Communities system have

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chromium-6 levels above the State limit (CVWD 2025d). CVWD has completed and submitted a Compliance Plan to SWRCB to meet the State standards.

4.6.2.3 Surface Water
CVWD does not currently use or intend to use any local surface water as part of its urban water supply.

Local runoff percolates into the groundwater basin through tributary and Whitewater River streambeds.

4.6.2.4 Stormwater
CVWD does not use stormwater directly as a source of supply. CVWD and other local agencies have considered opportunities to capture stormwater for groundwater recharge, though this occurs naturally through the Whitewater River streambed.

4.6.2.5 Wastewater and Recycled Water
CVWD provides both water and wastewater services within its service area. CVWD provides wastewater collection and treatment services for all or part of the cities of Cathedral City, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Palm Desert, and Rancho Mirage, as well as unincorporated areas of Riverside County. By agreement, a small portion of flow from DWA’s service area is sent to CVWD’s WRP-10.

Recycled water is a significant potential local resource that can be used to help reduce groundwater overdraft. Wastewater that has been highly treated and disinfected can be reused for landscape irrigation and other non-potable purposes; however, the current level of wastewater treatment does not yield water suitable for direct potable use. Coachella Valley golf courses are not connected to CVWD’s urban water system, but instead rely on a combination of non-potable Canal water, recycled water and/or private groundwater wells to meet their irrigation needs. To manage groundwater overdraft, CVWD started recycling wastewater for irrigation of golf courses and landscaping in the late 1960s. As growth occurs in the Coachella Valley, the supply of recycled water is expected to increase, thereby creating an additional opportunity to maximize local water supply.

CVWD’s wastewater collection system consists of approximately 1,100 miles of 6-inch through 36-inch diameter sewers, and includes 27 sewage lift stations and associated force mains (CVWD 2026). The system contains trunk sewers, generally 10 inches in diameter and larger, that convey the collected wastewater flows to CVWD’s WRPs. CVWD operates five WRPs, two of which (WRP-7 and WRP-10) generate recycled water for irrigation of golf courses and large landscaped areas.

WRP-1 serves the Bombay Beach community near the Salton Sea. WRP-1 has a design capacity of 150,000 GPD, and currently all the effluent from this facility is disposed by evaporation-infiltration. CVWD has no plans to recycle effluent from this facility because of the low flow and lack of potential uses near the plant.

WRP-2 serves the nearby North Shore community. WRP-2 has a treatment capacity of 33,000 GPD and can provide additional capacity when flows exceed this value. WRP-2 discharges treated secondary effluent into four evaporation-infiltration basins for final disposal. CVWD has no plans to recycle effluent from this facility because of the low flow and lack of potential uses near the plant.

WRP-4 is a 9.9 MGD capacity treatment facility located in Thermal. WRP-4 became operational in 1986 and serves communities from La Quinta to Mecca. WRP-4 provides secondary treatment consisting of preaeration ponds, aeration lagoons, polishing ponds, and disinfection. The treated effluent is discharged to the CVSC. Effluent from WRP-4 is not currently recycled, though CVWD plans to add tertiary treatment and reuse effluent from this plant in the future. CVWD has filed a Change Petition (WW0093) with the SWRCB to move forward with recycling at WRP-4.

WRP-7 is located in North Indio and has a secondary treatment capacity of 5.0 MGD. The design capacity of the tertiary treatment system at WRP-7 is 2.5 MGD. The off-site pumping capacity of the WRP-7 recycled water pump is approximately 4,500 gpm. In the summer, peak demands exceed the pumping capacity of 4,000 gpm which typically serves Sun City and 500 gpm which serves Shadow Hills. WRP-7 delivers a blend of recycled water and Canal water for irrigation of golf courses and HOA landscaping. The blend

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proportion depends on customer demands with CVWD’s goal to beneficially reuse as much recycled water as possible; Canal water is used to augment supply for peak demands.

WRP-10 is located in Palm Desert. WRP-10 began delivering recycled water in 1987. The design capacity of the secondary treatment system is 18 MGD and the tertiary treatment system is 15 MGD. Since 2009, WRP-10 is also capable of serving Canal water from the Mid-Valley Pipeline (MVP) blended with tertiary water to non-potable water customers. The blend proportion depends on customer demands with CVWD’s goal to beneficially reuse as much recycled water as possible; Canal water is used to augment supply for peak demands. WRP-10 has two distribution systems (one is a low-pressure system and one is highpressure system), with recycled and/or Canal water delivered by the MVP. Because the winter demand for recycled water is less than the available supply, a portion of the plant’s flow is disposed through on-site evaporation-infiltration basins.

The existing recycled water customers are not part of CVWD’s urban potable water system, but are private groundwater producers that purchase recycled water in-lieu of groundwater pumping. Golf course irrigation is expected to remain the largest use of recycled water in the future. Although CVWD’s urban water demand is not offset by recycled water use, the Coachella Valley’s water supply is indirectly increased by transitioning private groundwater producers to recycled water.

The wastewater collected and treated in the service area is shown in Table 4-18. The recycled water produced is shown in Table 4-19. Table 4-20 summarizes the current and projected uses of recycled water within CVWD’s service area. The 2020 UWMP projected recycled water uses for 2025 are presented in compared with actual recycled water use.

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Table 4-18. DWR 6-2R Wastewater Collected within Service Area in 2025 Wastewater Collection
Name of Wastewater
Collection Agency
Wastewater
Volume Metered or
Estimated
Wastewater Volume Collected
from UWMP Service Area in
2025 (AFY)
Name of Wastewater
Agency Receiving
Collected Wastewater
Wastewater
Treatment Plant
Name
Wastewater Treatment
Plant Located within
UWMP Area
CVWD Metered 17 CVWD WRP-1 Yes
CVWD Metered 17 CVWD WRP-2 Yes
CVWD Metered 6,374 CVWD WRP-4 Yes
CVWD Metered 3,611 CVWD WRP-7 Yes
CVWD Metered 9,351 CVWD WRP-10 Yes
Total 19,370

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2025 Coachella Valley Regional Urban Water Management Plan 4-29
Table 4-19. DWR 6-3R Wastewater Treatment and Outcomes within Service Area in 2025 -
Wastewater
Treatment Plant
Name
Discharge Location
Name or Identifier
Discharge Location
Description
Wastewater Discharge
ID Number
Method of
Disposal
Plant Treats Wastewater
Generated Outside the
Service Area Treatment Level
2025 Volumes (AFY)
Wastewater
Treated
Discharged
Treated
Wastewater
Recycled
Within Service
Area
Recycled
Outside of
Service Area
Instream Flow
Permit
Requirement
WRP-1 Bombay Beach Percolation ponds 7A330105021 Percolation ponds
No Secondary,
undisinfected 17 17 0 0 0
WRP-2 North Shore Percolation ponds 7A330105032 Percolation ponds
No Secondary,
undisinfected 17 17 0 0 0
WRP-4 Thermal CVSC 7A330102091 Stormwater
channel outfall
No Secondary,
disinfected - 23 6,374 5,881 0 0 0
WRP-7 North Indio Non-potable
customers and
percolation ponds.
7A330105071 Percolation
ponds
No Tertiary
3,611 1,328 1,794 0 0
WRP-10 Palm Desert Non-potable
customers and
percolation ponds.
7A330105012 Percolation
ponds
Yes Tertiary
9,351 638 8,102 0 0
Total 19,370 7,880 9,896 0 0

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Table 4-20. DWR 6-4R Recycled Water Direct Beneficial Uses Within Service Area (AFY)
Name of Supplier Producing (Treating) the
Recycled Water Coachella Valley Water District
Name of Supplier Operating the Recycled
Water Distribution System Coachella Valley Water District Supplemental Volume of Water Added in
2025 573 AF
Source of 2025 Supplemental Water Coachella Canal
Beneficial Use
Type
Level of
Treatment
General
Description of
2025 Uses 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050
Landscape
Irrigation
(excludes golf
courses)
Tertiary HOAs and
municipal
landscaping
318 2,463 2,463 2,463 2,463 2,463
Landscape
Irrigation
(excludes golf
courses)
Canal
water
HOAs and
municipal
landscaping 573 435 435 435 435 435
Total 891 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898
Table 4-21. DWR 6-5R 2020 UWMP Recycled Water Use Projection Compared to 2025 Actual (AFY)
Use Type 1 2020 Projection for 2025 (AFY) 2025 Actual Use (AFY) Landscape Irrigation (excludes golf courses) 383 318
Total 383 318
1 While there is irrigated agricultural land in CVWD’s service area, agricultural irrigation water is not evaluated in this UWMP.

CVWD has long promoted the use of recycled water for irrigation purposes. In 2006, CVWD sponsored SB 1557, adopted by the California Legislature as Part 8.2 (CWC §32600-32603) of the County Water District Law which applies exclusively to CVWD. This law specifies that the use of potable water for non-potable uses such as cemeteries, parks, highway landscaped areas, new industrial facilities, and golf course irrigation is a waste and an unreasonable use. In 2014, AB 1896 amended this law (CWC §32601) to include the use of potable domestic water for landscaped common areas of residential developments maintained by a Homeowners Association as a waste and an unreasonable use. The law mandates the use of nonpotable water (including recycled water) for these uses when the CVWD Board of Directors determines that the water is available, of adequate quality, reasonably priced, and will not adversely affect public health, water quality, groundwater rights, or the environment, and when regulatory agencies determine that applicable standards are met.

CVWD uses this law to encourage the use of both recycled water and Canal water for non-potable uses. In 2009, CVWD developed a standardized non-potable water use contract that mandates at least 80 percent of their demand be met with non-potable water. Non-potable water is priced at 85 percent of the cost of groundwater pumping plus applicable replenishment charges, with a 50 percent conservation charge applied when non-potable use falls below 80 percent.

Where practical, CVWD requires new developments to use recycled or non-potable water as a condition of receiving domestic and sanitation services from CVWD. CVWD remains committed to maximizing nonpotable water use through continued infrastructure investment. Table 4-22 shows the expected increase in recycled water use due to the encouragement of recycled water use.

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Table 4-22. DWR 6-6R Methods to Encourage Future Recycled Water Use – Water Code Section 10633(f)
Name of Action Description
Planned
Implementation Year
Expected Increase in
Recycled Water Use
(AF)
Infrastructure
Investment
CVWD requires new developments (where
practical) to use recycled or non-potable
water as a condition of receiving domestic
and sanitation services.

Current 2,517

4.6.2.6 Desalinated Water Opportunities
CVWD does not have direct access to ocean water or a significant quantity of brackish groundwater. CVWD has evaluated the use of desalinated shallow groundwater as part of its water supply portfolio. At this time, this opportunity has been deferred due to slower than anticipated growth.

4.6.2.7 Water Exchanges and Transfers
CVWD’s relies on exchanges and transfers of imported water as a crucial source of supply for groundwater recharge in the Coachella Valley. CVWD has executed multiple agreements for exchanges and transfers of imported water, which are described in Chapter 3 of the RUWMP.

CVWD continues to explore additional opportunities to obtain additional imported water through transfers or exchanges.

CVWD currently has emergency interties with Indio, MSWD, and DWA. The combined capacities of these connections are in excess of 20 MGD.

4.6.2.8 Future Water Projects
CVWD recognizes the need for additional water supplies to meet projected water demands and prevent groundwater overdraft and is investing in new local and Statewide projects.

WRP-4 Recycled Water Improvement Project Phase 1
WRP-4 provides service to the Cities of La Quinta, Mecca, Palm Desert, and Thousand Palms. Under current operations, the secondary system treats about 2.0 MGD average daily flow and does not have tertiary treatment capacity. The treatment system produces secondary effluent which is discharged to the CVSC under a NPDES permit, which has a maximum month average daily effluent flow of 9.9 MGD.

CVWD’s tertiary treatment expansion at WRP-4 will be implemented in multiple phases. Phase 1, which will provide 1.0 MGD of total tertiary treatment capacity, includes a secondary effluent equalization basin, lagoon effluent pretreatment (if required), coagulation/rapid mix, Filter Building, and filters; expands the chlorine contact basins and chemical feed systems; adds a new recycled water storage basin (up to 177 million gallons [MG]); and adds a new recycled water pump station and pipeline to irrigators in the midValley area. CVWD is currently preparing design and environmental compliance for a one MGD tertiary facility (blend of Canal and recycled water).

Sites Reservoir Project
Sites Reservoir is a 1.5 million acre-foot, off-stream reservoir proposed north of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta that would improve California’s water reliability and resiliency in drier years for farms, families, fish, and fowl. It is designed to capture and store winter runoff from uncontrolled streams below the existing reservoirs in the Sacramento Valley.

In 2019, CVWD’s Board of Directors approved participation in the Sites Reservoir Project (estimated 6,400 AFY). Administered by the Sites Project Authority, several amendments have been signed after that with the latest, Third Amendment, signed in 2022.

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Delta Conveyance Project
The proposed Delta Conveyance Project (DCP) will help the SWP safely capture, move and store water amidst the rapid swings between wet and dry conditions that have become our new normal as the state’s climate changes. The proposed project is a crucial part of the state’s Water Resilience Portfolio and protects the state against future water supply losses caused by climate-driven weather extremes, sea level rise, and earthquakes.

In 2020, CVWD’s Board of Directors approved participation in the DCP at 3.78 percent share (estimated 14,900 AFY between Table A and Article 21 supplies). Administered by DWR, the DCP is currently in the planning and environmental compliance phase.

4.6.2.9 Future Water Supply Projects
Table 4-23 provides a summary of expected future water supply projects. It is assumed that CVWD will receive additional imported supply from the Sites Reservoir and DCP via MWD’s Colorado River Aqueduct along with existing SWP supplies.

Table 4-23. DWR 6-7R Expected Future Water Supply Projects or Programs Name of Future
Projects or Programs
Joint Project
with Other
Suppliers
Agency
Name
Planned
Implementation
Year
Planned
for Use in
Year Type
Expected Increase
in Water Supply to

CVWD (AFY)
WRP-4 Recycled Water
Improvement Project
No N/A 2029 Normal 1,120
Sites Reservoir Yes Sites
Project
Authority,
MWD
2035 Normal 6,400
Delta Conveyance
Project
Yes DWR,
MWD
2047 Normal 14,900

4.6.2.10 Summary of Existing and Planned Sources of Water CVWD’s sources of supply used in 2025 are summarized in Table 4-24 and CVWD’s anticipated future supplies are shown in Table 4-25. These sources of supply are for municipal direct-use and do not include imported supplies which are used for groundwater replenishment or agricultural and other non-urban landscape irrigation.

Table 4-24. DWR 6-8R Actual Water Supplies
- 2025
Water Supply Additional Description Actual Volume (AFY) Water Type Groundwater Indio Subbasin 95,952 Drinking Water
Groundwater Mission Creek Subbasin 3,048 Drinking Water Non-potable water Blend of WRP-7 and WRP10 and Coachella Canal (Municipal Users)
890
Non-potable water
Total 99,890

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Table 4-25. DWR 6-9R Projected Water Supplies
- Projected Water Supply (AFY)
- 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050
Water
Supply
Additional
Description
Reasonably
Available
Volume
Reasonably
Available
Volume
Reasonably
Available
Volume
Reasonably
Available
Volume
Reasonably
Available
Volume
Groundwater Indio Subbasin 92,800 94,594 95,225 96,098 96,976 Groundwater Mission Creek
Subbasin
3,033 3,292 3,291 3,296 3,300
Non-Potable
Water
Blend of WRP-7
and WRP-10 and
Coachella Canal
2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898
Total 98,731 100,784 101,414 102,292 103,174

4.6.2.11 Special Conditions
Climate change has the potential to affect Coachella Valley’s two major sources of imported water: the Colorado River and the SWP. Potential effects of a hotter and drier climate could also increase water demand within the Coachella Valley. These potential impacts are discussed in Chapter 3.

4.6.3 Energy Use
CVWD has compiled data to document the energy used for water management operations. CVWD used the Total Utility Approach to estimate the energy intensity of its water management operations.

The results are summarized in Table 4-26.

Table 4-26. DWR O-1B Energy Intensity Reporting
Table O-1B: Recommended Energy Reporting - Total Utility Approach Enter Start Date for Reporting Period 1/1/2025
End Date 12/31/2025 Urban Water Supplier Operational Control Is upstream embedded in the values
reported?
No Sum of All Water
Management
Processes
Non-Consequential
Hydropower
Water Volume Units Used AFY Total Utility Hydropower Net Utility Volume of Water Entering Process (volume unit) 99,000 AFY 0 99,000 AFY Energy Consumed (kWh) 62,642,801 0 62,642,801
Energy Intensity (kWh/volume) 633 0 633
Quantity of Self-Generated Renewable Energy
kWh
Data Quality (Estimate, Metered Data, Combination of Estimates and Metered Data) Combination of Estimates and Metered Data
Data Quality Narrative
Energy use data was obtained from electricity consumption records maintained by the agency.

Narrative
The energy use is specific to domestic wells and appurtenances for the district.

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4.7 Water Service Reliability and Drought Risk Assessment The UWMP Act requires urban water suppliers to assess water supply reliability by comparing total projected water use with expected water supply over the next 25 years in five-year increments, including a single dry year and multiple dry years. Reliability is a measure of a water system’s expected success in managing water shortages. This chapter presents the reliability assessment for CVWD’s service area.

4.7.1 Reliability Overview
CVWD’s only direct source of urban potable water supply is local groundwater. Coachella Valley water suppliers are achieving success in sustainable groundwater management and as stewards of local water resources. The regional groundwater supply has historically been able to meet demands during both normal and dry periods. Though increased environmental regulations, competition for water supplies, and recurrent drought conditions have reduced the reliability of imported water, groundwater replenishment has reversed past overdraft conditions. Potential constraints on these supplies that could affect reliability are discussed in Chapter 3 of this RUWMP.

The “normal year” represents the average water supply conditions and availability to CVWD. This RUWMP uses the long-term average supply metrics to represent normal year conditions.

The “single dry year” represents the lowest water supply available to CVWD. Though CVWD’s vast groundwater in storage is not constrained in dry years, this RUWMP uses 2021 for the single dry year due to its combination of low precipitation and peak demand. CVWD’s water use data from the last 20 years was evaluated to understand demand response among its customer base. For CVWD, the single dry year demand represents 103 percent of normal conditions.

The “multiple dry years” represents the lowest average water supply available to CVWD for a consecutive multi-year period (five years or more). This is generally considered to be the lowest average surface runoff for a consecutive multiple year period for a watershed since 1903. This RUWMP uses 2020 through 2024 as the multiple dry year period. Although this period is not the driest consecutive five-year period on record, it represents a more accurate demand response to drought conditions due to conservation programs implemented in recent years by CVWD. For CVWD, the multiple dry year demand increases by two percent year-over-year from 102 to 110 percent of normal conditions.

Table 4-27 summarizes the water years used as the basis for urban water supply reliability assessment and the percent of average supply available for each base year.

Table 4-27. DWR 7-1R Basis of Water Year Data
- Available Supply if Year Type Repeats
Year Type Base Year Percent of Average Supply
Average Year 2015-2024 100%
Single-Dry Year 2021 103%
Consecutive Dry Years 1st Year 2020 102%
Consecutive Dry Years 2nd Year 2021 104%
Consecutive Dry Years 3rd Year 2022 106%
Consecutive Dry Years 4th Year 2023 108%
Consecutive Dry Years 5th Year 2024 110%

4.7.2 Water Service Reliability Assessment
The reliability of the groundwater supply is dependent on reliable sources to replenish water extracted from the groundwater basin. To ensure a safe and reliable supply, regional water suppliers collaborate to manage groundwater via the Indio Subbasin Alternative Plan and Mission Creek Subbasin Alternative Plan.

Since 1973 and 2002, respectively, CVWD has been using Colorado River water exchanged for SWP water to replenish groundwater in the Indio and Mission Creek Subbasins. While CVWD is susceptible to the uncertainty of supply and delivery from the SWP and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta due to legal,

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environmental, and climatic restrictions, the Coachella Valley agencies’ efforts in regional management of the groundwater basin have helped address long‐term overdraft. Therefore, water supply reliability is expected to be good and fully reliable.

Groundwater in storage within Indio and Mission Creek Subbasins will be used in dry years to support potential differences between demands and supply. The Indio Subbasin has a storage capacity of approximately 29.8 MAF and the Mission Creek Subbasin has a storage capacity of approximately 2.6 MAF (DWR, 1964). It is capable of meeting the water demands of CVWD for extended periods during normal, single‐dry and multiple‐dry year conditions.

Due to CVWD's reliance on local groundwater sources and its ability to secure imported water for storage within the Indio and Mission Creek Subbasins, short-term drought situations have historically had a negligible effect on CVWD's ability to supply water to its customers. CVWD will continue to request the maximum allocation from the SWP and will obtain and store as much available water as possible to prevent supply deficiencies and to preserve the groundwater basin.

The following tables provide CVWD’s projected water supplies and demand in a normal year, single dry year, and multiple dry years. The retail supplies and demands presented in the tables below include recycled water and Canal water delivered to CVWD’s municipal customers from WRP-7 and WRP-10.

Agricultural and golf course demands supplied by non-potable sources are not evaluated as urban uses.

Instead, recycled water is used to offset the groundwater pumping of private well owners (agriculture and golf courses) to eliminate overdraft.

4.7.2.1 Normal Year
Supplies and demands for the normal year conditions for each five-year increment are summarized in Table 4-28. This analysis does not include WSCP use reduction in a normal year. The supply and demand comparison for the normal year results in no shortages.

Table 4-28. DWR 7-2R Normal Year Supply and Demand Comparison 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050
Supply Totals (AFY)
From DWR Table 6-9R
98,731 100,784 101,414 102,292 103,174
Groundwater 95,833 97,886 98,516 99,394 100,276
Non-Potable Water 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898
Use Totals (AFY)
From DWR Table 4-2R
98,731 100,784 101,414 102,292 103,174
Potable Water Demand 95,833 97,886 98,516 99,394 100,276 Non-Potable Water Demand 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898
Surplus/(Shortfall) 0 0 0 0 0
WSCP Use Reduction 0 0 0 0 0
Revised Surplus/(Shortfall) 0 0 0 0 0
Note: The RUWMP participating agencies collaborate on groundwater management plans for long-term sustainability. During a normal year, single-dry year, or five-dry year period, the agencies could produce additional groundwater if demands exceeded the estimates shown here.

4.7.2.2 Single Dry Year
The single dry year represents a “worst-case” scenario for demand response, jumping to 103 percent of normal conditions in a single year. Supplies and demands for the single dry year conditions for each fiveyear increment are summarized in Table 4-29. Demand is assumed to increase during a single-dry year due to increased irrigation needs. This analysis does not include WSCP use reduction in a single dry year.

Urban water supplies during the single dry year are fully reliable as groundwater in storage in the Indio and

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Mission Creek Subbasins is available to serve increased demand. Thus, the supply and demand comparison for the single dry year results in no shortages.

Table 4-29. DWR 7-3R Single Dry Year Supply and Demand Comparison 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050
Supply Totals (AFY) 102,017 104,138 104,789 105,697 106,608 Groundwater 99,119 101,240 101,891 102,799 103,710
Non-Potable Water 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898
Use Totals (AFY) 102,017 104,138 104,789 105,697 106,608 Potable Demand 99,119 101,240 101,891 102,799 103,710
Non-Potable Demand 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898
Surplus/(Shortfall) 0 0 0 0 0
WSCP Use Reduction 0 0 0 0 0
Revised Surplus/(Shortfall) 0 0 0 0 0
Note: The RUWMP participating agencies collaborate on groundwater management plans for long-term sustainability. During a normal year, single-dry year, or five-dry year period, the agencies could produce additional groundwater if demands exceeded the estimates shown here.

4.7.2.1 Multiple Dry Years
Reliability during a multiple-dry year scenario was assumed to be similar to the average year scenario for reasons discussed previously. Supplies and demands for the single dry year conditions for each five-year increment are summarized in Table 4-31. The multiple dry year urban water supply reliability is 100 percent, as groundwater in storage in Indio and Mission Creek Basins will be used to supplement increased demand.

In five consecutive dry year conditions, there are no shortages. Demand is expected to increase during multiple dry year periods due to increased irrigation needs. Demand is expected to be offset, however, in the second through fifth years of a consecutive dry year period due to efficiencies realized from the implementation of CVWD’s WSCP. This reliability forecast conservatively assumes that the WSCP will reduce water use by three percent in the second through fifth years of a multiple year drought.

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Table 4-30. DWR 7-4R Multiple Dry Years Supply and Demand Comparison 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050
First Year
Supply Totals (AFY) 100,706 102,800 103,442 104,338 105,238 Groundwater 97,808 99,902 100,544 101,440 102,340
Non-Potable Water 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898
Use Totals (AFY) 100,706 102,800 103,442 104,338 105,238 Potable Demand 97,808 99,902 100,544 101,440 102,340
Non-Potable Demand 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898
Surplus/(Shortfall) 0 0 0 0 0
WSCP Use Reduction 0 0 0 0 0
Revised Surplus/(Shortfall) 0 0 0 0 0
Second Year
Supply Totals (AFY) 102,680 104,816 105,470 106,384 107,301 Groundwater 99,782 101,918 102,572 103,486 104,403
Non-Potable Water 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898
Use Totals (AFY) 102,680 104,816 105,470 106,384 107,301 Potable Demand 99,782 101,918 102,572 103,486 104,403
Non-Potable Demand 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898
Surplus/(Shortfall) 0 0 0 0 0
WSCP Use Reduction 3,109 3,174 3,194 3,221 3,249
Revised Surplus/(Shortfall)1 0 0 0 0 0
Third Year
Supply Totals (AFY) 104,655 106,831 107,498 108,430 109,365 Groundwater (not desalinated) 101,757 103,933 104,600 105,532 106,467 Non-Potable Water 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898
Use Totals (AFY) 104,655 106,831 107,498 108,430 109,365 Potable Demand 101,757 103,933 104,600 105,532 106,467
Non-Potable Demand 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898
Surplus/(Shortfall) 0 0 0 0 0
WSCP Use Reduction 3,169 3,235 3,255 3,283 3,312
Revised Surplus/(Shortfall)1 0 0 0 0 0
Fourth Year
Supply Totals (AFY) 106,629 108,847 109,527 110,476 111,428 Groundwater (not desalinated) 103,731 105,949 106,629 107,578 108,530 Non-Potable Water 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898
Use Totals (AFY) 106,629 108,847 109,527 110,476 111,428 Potable Demand 103,731 105,949 106,629 107,578 108,530
Non-Potable Demand 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898
Surplus/(Shortfall) 0 0 0 0 0
WSCP Use Reduction 3,229 3,296 3,317 3,345 3,374
Revised Surplus/(Shortfall)1 0 0 0 0 0

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2030 2035 2040 2045 2050
Fifth Year
Supply Totals (AFY) 108,604 110,863 111,555 112,522 113,492 Groundwater (not desalinated) 105,706 107,965 108,657 109,624 110,594 Non-Potable Water 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898
Use Totals (AFY) 108,604 110,863 111,555 112,522 113,492 Potable Demand 105,706 107,965 108,657 109,624 110,594
Non-Potable Demand 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898 2,898
Surplus/(Shortfall) 0 0 0 0 0
WSCP Use Reduction 3,289 3,357 3,378 3,407 3,437
Revised Surplus/(Shortfall)1 0 0 0 0 0
1 The RUWMP participating agencies collaborate on groundwater management plans for long-term sustainability.

During a normal year, single-dry year, or five-dry year period, the agencies could produce additional groundwater if demands exceeded the estimates shown here. Conversely, any water use reduction as a result of WSCP implementation will result in reduced groundwater production and groundwater will remain in storage for future use.

CVWD implements many programs to maximize the water resources available to meet demands, including but not limited to groundwater replenishment with imported water, direct use and recharge of recycled water, conversion of groundwater uses to Canal water, and comprehensive water conservation practices such as tiered water rates, landscaping ordinances, outreach and education. The groundwater replenishment programs establish a comprehensive and managed effort to reduce and eliminate overdraft of local groundwater resources. These programs allow CVWD and its partner agencies to maintain the groundwater basin as the primary water supply and to recharge the groundwater basin as other supplies are available and needed to meet existing and projected demands.

4.7.3 Management Tools and Options
CVWD was formed in 1918 with the purpose of protecting the water supplies of the Coachella Valley. CVWD has acquired imported water supplies to replenish local groundwater supplies and continues to evaluate additional opportunities to increase supply reliability. Significant investments have been made to implement water conservation programs, acquire additional SWP Table A and supplemental supplies, construct groundwater replenishment facilities to recharge the groundwater basin, and convert groundwater users to Canal water and recycled water. These programs have had a significant effect on stabilizing groundwater levels and eliminating overdraft.

CVWD is acting as a GSA in both the Indio and Mission Creek Subbasins to help manage the groundwater basin and achieve groundwater sustainability. CVWD has implemented several programs to maximize the use of local water supplies and reduce demands, including significant recycled water and water conservation programs (see Section 4.9 for DMMs currently in place by CVWD). CVWD has also participated in the CVRWMG with other public water agencies in the Coachella Valley; more information about this group’s activities to increase supply reliability is included in Chapters 2 and 3 of the RUWMP.

4.7.4 Drought Risk Assessment
The five-year Drought Risk Assessment (DRA) is intended to evaluate current water supply availability by simulating demand and supply for the next five years under multiple dry year conditions.

Demands are expected to increase from current 2025 demands based on the assumptions during multi-dry year periods. For CVWD, the multiple dry year demand increases by two percent year-over-year from 102 to 110 percent of normal conditions. It is expected that conservation messaging and programs will prevent any significant increase in demands from existing customers due to dry conditions. The groundwater supply is reliable for a five-year dry period as the volume in storage can be drawn down during a dry period.

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The data and methodologies used to identify and respond to a potential shortage are described in CVWD’s WSCP. This DRA conservatively assumes that the WSCP will reduce water use by three percent in the second through fifth years of a multiple year drought. Based on the reliability analysis presented above, the supply of groundwater is fully reliable in a five-year drought scenario, including consideration of historic droughts in the Coachella Valley and potential impacts of climate change.

The results of the DRA, including estimated savings from the implementation of the WSCP, are summarized in Table 4-31. Any water shortage can be mitigated through use of groundwater in storage and demand reduction via WSCP implementation.

Table 4-31. DWR 7-5 Five-Year Drought Risk Assessment
2026 Gross Water Use (AFY) 101,888
Total Supplies (AFY) 101,888
Surplus/(Shortfall) without WSCP Action 0
Planned WSCP Actions (Use Reduction and Supply Augmentation) WSCP (Supply Augmentation Benefit) 0
WSCP (Use Reduction Savings Benefit) 0
Revised Surplus/(Shortfall) 0
Resulting Percent Use Reduction from WSCP Action 0%
2027 Gross Water Use (AFY) 103,886
Total Supplies (AFY) 103,886
Surplus/(Shortfall) without WSCP Action 0
Planned WSCP Actions (Use Reduction and Supply Augmentation) WSCP (Supply Augmentation Benefit) 0
WSCP (Use Reduction Savings Benefit) 3,053
Revised Surplus/(Shortfall)1 0
Resulting Percent Use Reduction from WSCP Action 3%
2028 Gross Water Use (AFY) 105,883
Total Supplies (AFY) 105,883
Surplus/(Shortfall) without WSCP Action 0
Planned WSCP Actions (Use Reduction and Supply Augmentation) WSCP (Supply Augmentation Benefit) 0
WSCP (Use Reduction Savings Benefit) 3,112
Revised Surplus/(Shortfall)1 0
Resulting Percent Use Reduction from WSCP Action 3%
2029 Gross Water Use (AFY) 107,881
Total Supplies (AFY) 107,881
Surplus/(Shortfall) without WSCP Action 0
Planned WSCP Actions (Use Reduction and Supply Augmentation) WSCP (Supply Augmentation Benefit) 0
WSCP (Use Reduction Savings Benefit) 3,171
Revised Surplus/(Shortfall)1 0
Resulting Percent Use Reduction from WSCP Action 3%

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2030 Gross Water Use (AFY) 109,879
Total Supplies (AFY) 109,879
Surplus/(Shortfall) without WSCP Action 0
Planned WSCP Actions (Use Reduction and Supply Augmentation) WSCP (Supply Augmentation Benefit) 0
WSCP (Use Reduction Savings Benefit) 3,229
Revised Surplus/(Shortfall)
1 0
Resulting Percent Use Reduction from WSCP Action 3%
1 The RUWMP participating agencies collaborate on groundwater management plans for long-term sustainability.

During a normal year, single-dry year, or five-dry year period, the agencies could produce additional groundwater if demands exceeded the estimates shown here. Conversely, any water use reduction as a result of WSCP implementation will result in reduced groundwater production and groundwater will remain in storage for future use.

4.8 Water Shortage Contingency Plan
CVWD has developed a WSCP that outlines its strategy for assessing and responding to potential water shortages. Building on the region’s overall high water supply reliability, the WSCP prepares for risks such as prolonged drought, infrastructure failure, regulatory restrictions, contamination, and other emergencies.

It establishes procedures for annual water supply and demand assessments, coordination among regional water agencies, and use of six standardized shortage levels that range from minimal conservation requirements to severe, mandatory restrictions when more than 50% supply reduction occurs.

To manage shortages, the WSCP details a suite of supply augmentation methods, demand reduction actions, operational adjustments, communication protocols, and enforcement mechanisms. Actions escalate by shortage level and may include outdoor irrigation limits, reduced water budgets, expanded public outreach, drought surcharges, mandatory rationing, and prohibitions on potable outdoor use. The WSCP also describes financial implications, monitoring and reporting requirements, seismic risk considerations, and emergency response coordination with regional partners. It sets forth legal authorities supporting plan implementation and provides the procedures for adoption, future amendments, and public engagement.

The CVWD WSCP is included in Appendix C of this RUWMP.

4.9 Demand Management Measures
This section describes CVWD water conservation goals and provides an overview of its existing and proposed DMMs to increase water use efficiency.

4.9.1 Existing Demand Management Measures
CVWD implements the DMMs identified in CWC §10631 in addition to other DMMs. DMMs refer to policies, programs, rules, regulation and ordinances, and the use of devices, equipment, and facilities that, over the long term, have been generally justified and accepted by the industry as providing a reliable reduction in water demand. The following subsections summarize the current DMMs in place and implementation over the past five years.

4.9.1.1 Water Waste Prevention Ordinances
CVWD implements water waste restrictions during drought which impose mandatory restrictions on water use. Most recently, CVWD’s Ordinance 1422.7 was imposed in response to the State of California’s statewide water conservation emergency regulations, which was enacted in 2022 and expired in 2023. This ordinance included prohibitions on inefficient water use and recommended activities for customers and homeowners associations for water use efficiency. Ordinance 1422.7 was repealed by Ordinance 1422.8 in 2023. Detail on the implementation of water waste prevention measures during times of drought is provided in CVWD’s WSCP, which is included in Appendix C.

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In addition to drought response measures, provisions of CVWD’s Landscape Ordinance 1302.5 (revised July 2020) include specific prohibitions and penalties for water waste. These provisions from Section

3.15.040, Part C are provided below:

1. Water waste resulting from inefficient landscape irrigation including runoff, low-head drainage, overspray, or other similar conditions where water flows onto adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, walks, roadways, or structures is prohibited. All broken heads and pipes must be repaired within 72 hours of notification. Penalties for violation of these prohibitions are established in Section

3.15.070.

2. Customers who cause water waste may have their service discontinued.

3. Customers who appear to be exceeding the Maximum Applied Water Allowance may be interviewed by the CVWD Water Management Department to verify customer water usage to ensure compliance.

Additionally, CVWD’s Landscape Ordinance proactively prohibits the installation of non-functional turf in new development, reducing future outdoor water use by promoting more efficient landscaping.

4.9.1.2 Metering
One hundred percent of CVWD’s urban water customers are metered. The meters are billed based on volume of use. CVWD has mixed use meters serving both domestic use and landscape irrigation. CVWD’s Landscape Ordinance 1302.5, Section 3.15.030, Part D specifies:

Separate landscape water meters shall be installed for all projects except single family homes with a landscape area less than 5,000 square feet. Landscape meters for single family homes with a landscape area over 5,000 square feet may be served by a permanent service connection provided by the District or by a privately owned submeter installed at the irrigation point of connection on the customer service line.

4.9.1.3 Conservation Pricing
Conservation pricing provides incentives to customers to reduce average or peak use, or both. CVWD uses water commodity rates for its domestic water, non-potable (including Canal and recycled) water, and groundwater replenishment services. For its urban water system, CVWD has used a water budget-based tiered rate structure that discourages wasteful water use since 2009.

Every residential customer is given a personalized water budget based on the number of people living in the home, the size of the home’s landscaped area (budgeting more water to those with larger landscapes), and daily weather (budgeting more water during hotter months). Customers pay the tier rate for all water used within that tier.

CVWD is currently in the process of updating water rate studies for its domestic water, Canal water, and replenishment assessment charges. The domestic water rates are proposed to be adjusted to continue to encourage additional water conservation and generate the revenue required to meet District expenses, consistent with cost-of-service principles and legal requirements.

4.9.1.4 Public Education and Outreach
CVWD implements several public information programs, with its website as a primary communication tool.

The purpose of these programs is to educate the public on conservation programs being planned and/or implemented by CVWD, as well as educational tips that customers can use to lower their water usage.

CVWD has a large section on its website (www.cvwd.org/conservation) devoted to water conservation and education. Started in 2005, the webpage provides information on all of the agency’s conservation programs, including conservation rebate programs, current water-use restrictions, upcoming workshops, conservation tips (in the form of videos, fact sheets and guides), a guide for proper irrigation, and a link to download CVWD’s landscaping book, Lush and Efficient: Landscape Gardening in the Coachella Valley. In addition, regional daily and monthly weather and reference ET rate information is provided to guide water users. The conservation section received 39,953 page views in 2025.

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CV Water Counts
CV Water Counts was formed by the six water suppliers to provide education and awareness of water conversation to Valley residents and businesses. The group was formed in 2008 to reduce water demand, increase water supply, and improve water quality. The CV Water Counts website (https://cvwatercounts.com/) has informative links with educational resources, information on rebates for water saving devices, and upcoming water related events in the area. The CV Water Counts program uses surveyed data from Coachella Valley residents to guide its water conservation messaging to achieve maximum local impact. Part of the regional program also includes a “Water Counts Academy,” which affords local residents an opportunity to learn more about water in our community.

Publications – Lush and Efficient
CVWD publishes a comprehensive book on water-efficient landscaping in the Coachella Valley titled Lush and Efficient: Landscape Gardening in the Coachella Valley. The guide draws on the expertise of local irrigation and landscaping specialists to provide users with step-by-step instructions and techniques for creating and maintaining water-efficient landscapes, plus hundreds of low-water using plants that thrive in the desert. First published in 1988, the popular book is available for free from CVWD’s website. Hard copies are also readily available for free at special events and for purchase for a nominal fee.

Demonstration Gardens
The majority of urban potable water distributed by CVWD is used outdoors, with about 70-80 percent being used to maintain landscapes. Since CVWD’s boundaries fall within DWR’s highest ET zone (18), it takes more water to grow landscapes here than in any other portion of California. The Coachella Valley shares this highest water use designation with the Palo Verde Valley, Imperial Valley, and Death Valley.

One way to reduce landscape water use is to use native desert plants in landscaping. Desert native plants have evolved both anatomical and physiological mechanisms that allow them to survive on annual rainfall alone.

Within the Coachella Valley, which is one of the lowest annual rainfall areas in the state, desert plants from other, wetter deserts can be utilized with a minimum amount of irrigation. CVWD has identified and illustrated these plant choices in its publication Lush and Efficient: Landscape Gardening in the Coachella Valley. CVWD’s two demonstration gardens, one at its headquarters in Coachella and the other at its office in Palm Desert, provide the landscape industry and the general public an opportunity to observe the plants in a landscape setting.

Landscape and Leak Detection Workshops
CVWD started offering an annual horticultural workshop more than 25 years ago with about 30 people attending a half-day session at College of the Desert. This program steadily grew over the years to a culmination of 220 people participating in 2010. In order to make the workshop more manageable, the structure was changed, and workshops are now held throughout the year with different topics continually being introduced.

Speakers include CVWD staff and community members who are experts in various fields related to landscaping. Participants are given a free copy of Lush and Efficient: Landscape Gardening in the Coachella Valley and other xeriscape information. Attendance at each event ranges from 50-75 people.

Community Outreach
CVWD holds in-person workshops sporadically throughout the year to engage the local community in water conservation. They also hold WaterWise conservation events for residents who want to learn more about efficient water use and desert horticulture. CVWD also has previously recorded resources available on its website, including virtual workshops and tours.

CVWD’s marketing/advertising program includes print, radio, billboards, social media, and television ads primarily focused on water conservation, CVWD services, and promotion of workshops.

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Email and Social Media Campaigns
CVWD’s e-notification program began in 2014 to provide a voluntary email subscription service to customers. As of February 2025, email notification subscriptions include the following topics and number of subscribers:
• Board meetings - 284
• Events & workshops - 785
• News releases – 1,848
• Tours – 971
• Water quality reports – 698
CVWD launched its Facebook page in 2014, its Twitter page in 2017, and its Instagram account in 2018.

As of February 2026, these social media pages had 2,937044 followers on Facebook, 813563 on X (Formerly Twitter) and 6,506965 on Instagram.

Social media posts include information about services, construction projects, milestones, employee highlights, conservation tips, traffic advisories for construction work and announcements of new policies and programs.

School Education Program
CVWD has an established school education program which began in 1992. CVWD has two full-time teachers on staff implementing the program. Presently, there are four components to the program. The first is classroom presentations on a variety of water-related topics with an emphasis on water conservation.

The second component is facility tours, the third is science fair promotion and sponsorship, and the fourth is educator workshops targeted teachers. CVWD’s teachers make audience-specific water education presentations to students at every level from pre-school to college. All school lesson plans are developed using California State Board of Education Standards and Frameworks. In addition to classroom presentations, CVWD’s teachers host several tours of water-related facilities and judge science fairs for the public and private schools within the agency’s service area. Annual workshops targeted at K-12 educators provide tools and activities for lessons in history and social science through an environmental lens.

4.9.1.5 Programs to Assess and Manage Distribution System Real Loss CVWD’s water loss program evaluates both apparent and real water loss. The programs and practices listed below constitute water loss reduction efforts:
• Production Well Meter Testing. This consists of CVWD testing all our production well meters twice per year. This is to ensure meter accuracy and data validity to accurately calculate our water loss when performing water loss audits. If the meter is not within the acceptable tolerance, it is replaced.
• Customer Meter Testing. CVWD tests a random representative sample of our customer meter population. The testing process includes minimum, intermediate, and maximum flow rates. All tested meters are required to be within a range based on the AWWA M6 standard for “accuracy limits” for size and type of meter; if a meter fails one of these flow rates, the meter is replaced. Test data is used in the AWWA Water Loss Audit Software to calculate customer meter inaccuracy. • Proactive Meter Replacement. CVWD replaces meters as part of its ongoing preventive maintenance program using industry standards and a data-driven approach. Routine meter accuracy testing, along with meter attributes such as age, type, and service history, are used to inform replacement decisions. This strategy helps maintain accurate customer billing and reduces water loss associated with inaccurate meters.
• Leak Detection. CVWD’s leak detection program surveys 80-110 miles of main a month, the goal is to proactively find and fix unreported non-surfacing leaks in the distribution system. The leak detection crew surveys the entire distribution system for leaks over an approximately two-year period.

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• Leak Repair. CVWD fixes surfacing and non-surfacing leaks within five days for non-emergency leaks. Five days is generally the time between the notification of the leak and the fixing of the leak.

Emergency leaks are prioritized and fixed within one day of notification. Non-surfacing/unreported leaks are scheduled and fixed accordingly.
• District Site Use Water Meters. CVWD has installed meters at all its domestic sites to accurately track site usage. This data helps provide consumption data that is entered into the AWWA Water Loss Audit Software.
• Meter Reading. CVWD’s meter reading system identifies meters with no/low consumption. Staff are also trained to identify potential faulty meters. A work order is entered for replacement if the meter is not operating correctly. Comparison reading is also conducted to compare Automatic Meter Reads to their actual read. This practice can help identify faulty electronics or set up errors in the metering system.
• Meter Repair Work Order Prioritization. Work orders that negatively impact billing and/or contribute to water loss are considered “priority” and are completed as soon as possible. It is typical to have less than a two-week backlog on these types of priority work orders. Making these a priority minimizes water loss.
• Billing Reports. Billing runs exceptions reports to identify low or zero consumption anomalies.

These reports can help locate a potential problem in the billing system or the meter, which can be investigated and repaired.
• Smart Home Water Monitors. CVWD partnered with California Water Efficiency Partnership to expand conservation offerings to customers through the Direct Distribution Program. More than 1,500 Flume Smart Home Water Monitor devices have been purchased by customers since the program began in 2023. These smart monitors continually monitor water usage and send notifications when leaks occur.

4.9.1.6 Water Conservation Program Coordination and Staffing Support CVWD currently has a full-time water conservation manager, as well as support staff for CVWD’s conservation programs. Supporting positions include a water management supervisor, lead water management specialists, water management specialists, water management technicians, and water management aides. Beginning in 2001 with a staff of only two people, the section has now grown to a staff of 14 people tasked with carrying out the agency’s various conservation programs.

4.9.1.7 Other Demand Management Measures
CVWD has several other DMMs including landscape conservation and incentive programs, residential efficiency programs, and golf and agricultural conservation programs. These are described briefly in the following subsections.

Large Landscape Conservation Programs and Incentives Program There are two principal groups of large landscape customers within the CVWD service area – those with separate irrigation meters on the urban water system, and those with private wells for golf course or other large landscape irrigation. Irrigation accounts for approximately 70 to 80 percent of total urban water usage.

Consumption by users with separate irrigation meters represents over 20 percent of total CVWD domestic water consumption. There are also many golf course irrigation users who are not CVWD urban water users, but produce groundwater from private wells. One of CVWD’s goals is to reduce water use by these large landscape pumpers. The large landscape and incentive programs include the landscaper certification program, water audits for large water users, the model landscape ordinance, landscape plan checks, random inspections, and rebate programs. These incentives are described in more detail in the below sections.

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Landscaper Certification Program
Commercial and recreational landscape irrigation systems are often improperly installed, poorly maintained, and inefficiently scheduled by transitory landscape maintenance personnel who are often unskilled and uneducated in the science and practice of landscape irrigation efficiency. Career landscape maintenance professionals have little or no irrigation science educational opportunities.

To address this education gap, CVWD has partnered with College of the Desert (COD), a local community college with an established Landscape Management Program, along with Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG), local cities, Riverside County, and water suppliers to implement the Landscaper Certification Program (LCP) for professional landscapers that focuses on water use efficiency. The LCP involves two courses that establish certification criteria for incorporation into each city's business license qualification requirements. The certification is a requirement to obtain or renew a professional landscaping business license in any city or county area within the Coachella Valley.

CVWD developed the curriculum of the LCP using existing staff that hold licenses and certifications in irrigation efficiency, plant water use, horticultural practices, arboriculture, and landscape/golf course irrigation auditing. CVWD ensures the curriculum is high quality by asking for review from industry educators such as COD instructors and industry professionals. CVWD and COD worked together to create the course and certification based on the developed curriculum. CVWD and CVAG worked with the cities on an amendment to existing ordinances to establish the business license requirement.

Water Audits for Large Water Users
The purpose of the Large Landscape Irrigation Audit Program is to assist users in maximizing the efficient operation of their irrigation system by measuring performance, generating irrigation schedules, and recommending improvement actions. The goals of this audit program are to determine the irrigation uniformity, efficiency and application rate of each audited site, suggest modifications in design, operation, maintenance and scheduling and estimate the water and energy savings associated with the suggested modifications. A report summarizing the audit’s findings and recommendations is sent to the irrigation manager.

Audit sites are chosen based on excessive water consumption, or in response to a request for audit services. CVWD’s Water Management Specialist evaluates and approves each site. All auditors must take the Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor course and pass the Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor examination, or equivalent.

Once a site is approved for audit, the owner or operator of the facility is contacted and an appointment is made to conduct the audit. After measurements and calculations are completed, a summary report and recommendations are delivered and explained to the site operator by the auditor. The Large Landscape Irrigation Audit Program operates continuously, and completes approximately 20 landscape audits per year.

A study in 2005 found that the average homeowners association saved 3.1 AFY as a result of implementing some of the audit recommendations.

Model Landscape Ordinance
The Water Conservation in Landscaping Act of 2006 (AB 1881, Laird) required cities and counties to adopt water conservation ordinances by January 1, 2010. In accordance with the law, the DWR prepared an updated MWELO. For all cities and counties that do not adopt their own conservation ordinances, DWR’s updated MWELO would apply within their jurisdiction by January 1, 2010.

In response to this law, CVWD worked with CVAG, local cities, Riverside County, other water suppliers, and the Building Industry Association for the acceptance of CVWD’s Landscape and Irrigation System Design Ordinance No. 1302.5. The most recent revisions to this ordinance were adopted in July 2020.

Plan Checking for Compliance with Landscape Ordinance
New and rehabilitated landscape sites are required to submit water efficient landscape plans to CVWD’s Water Management Department for a plan check prior to construction. The plan check is conducted to

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ensure that the water efficiency features of the new landscape meet the provisions of CVWD’s Landscape Ordinance No. 1302.5. Each proposed site is given an annual maximum water allowance based on landscaped area, plant water use zone, low-moderate landscape plant water use rates and high irrigation system application efficiency. The landscape designer must utilize a combination of plant choice and irrigation system choice such that the estimated annual water use of the finished landscape does not exceed the annual maximum water allowance assigned. In addition, certain irrigation system design practices are mandated, such as setting sprinkler irrigated areas at least 24 inches back from street curbs, or prohibited, such as overhead sprinkling of street median strips. Since 2010, CVWD has performed 6,778 landscape plan checks for new and rehabilitated landscape sites.

Random Inspections of Landscape Projects for Compliance with Landscape Ordinance As mentioned in the previous section, all new and rehabilitated landscape sites are required to submit water conserving landscape plans to CVWD’s Water Management Department for a plan check prior to construction. The plan check is conducted to ensure that the water efficiency features of the new landscape meet the provisions of CVWD’s Landscape Ordinance.

In order to ensure that contractors are installing plan-checked, water efficient landscapes as approved, CVWD has implemented a random inspection program. The inspections signal to the landscape construction industry that CVWD is spot checking completed landscape irrigation systems for plan-check compliance and will require errors and omissions to be corrected or face the possibility of discontinued water service.

Smart Controller Rebate Program
Beginning in 2005, CVWD instituted a smart irrigation controller rebate program to financially assist large water users in reducing landscape irrigation water consumption by purchasing an advanced irrigation controller capable of synchronizing their landscape irrigation schedules with seasonal variations in Coachella Valley reference evapotranspiration (ETo) rates.

ETo is a scientific description of the rate at which plant water use varies with the weather. Since the weather changes from season-to-season, week-to-week and even day-to-day, programming irrigation controllers frequently and efficiently remains one of the landscape industry worker’s most neglected tasks. CVWD’s program is specifically aimed at encouraging the use of “smart” irrigation clocks that reprogram themselves according to periodic variations in ETo after the initial calibrating program has been professionally installed.

CVWD initially offered this program to residential customers in November 2005 and expanded the program to large landscape customers in March 2008. For residential customers, CVWD staff will install and program the “smart” controller at no cost to the customer. For large landscape customers, CVWD will rebate 75% of the cost of the controller. Since 2010, CVWD has installed 5,695 smart controllers for residential customers and has issued 2,324 rebates to large landscape customers that installed smart controllers.

Landscape Conversion Rebate Program
Since 2007, CVWD has offered a rebate to its customers for converting their outdoor grass landscaping to desert-friendly landscaping, which requires less irrigation. CVWD’s landscaping guide, Lush & Efficient:

Landscape Gardening in the Coachella Valley, provides guidelines on which plants work best in the hot, arid climate. For residential properties, the rebate consists of $2 per square foot of landscaping or turf, up to $20,000 per project. For homeowners associations and commercial properties, the rebate consists of $2 per square foot of landscaping or turf, up to $50,000 per project. Since 2010, 6,529 residential and 1,802 commercial/HOA rebates have been issued, amounting to a total of 26,523,482 square feet of turf conversion.

CVWD performed a study of smart controllers using actual customers after having converted their landscaping and found that, on average, water savings amounted to 36% as a result of landscape conversion.

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Residential Ultra-Low-Flush Toilet Replacement Rebate Program Ultra-low-flush toilets (ULFT) conserve water by utilizing far less water than older, less efficient toilets. An ULFT uses less than 1.6 gallons per flush. In addition to direct conservation benefits, the promotion and use of these toilets has social value as it brings conservation products in direct contact with area users, thereby raising awareness of water conservation efforts.

CVWD has had a toilet rebate program since 2011. The agency provides a rebate of $100 for each toilet replacement plus $10 for reimbursement of any recycling fees, which will cover approximately half the cost of purchasing and installing a ULFT. Since 2010, a total of 8,083 rebates have been issued for ULFT replacements.

In addition to the rebate program, ULFTs are required for all new construction per plumbing code requirements. ULFTs were first introduced to the U.S. market in 1980, and the manufacturing of older, less efficient toilets designs was halted shortly thereafter in 1992 when the state mandated all new toilets must be ULFTs. Industry estimates are that natural replacement of residential toilets occurs every 50 years or at a rate of about 2 percent per year. Using this methodology, approximately 30 percent of the toilets from pre-1992 houses would still be installed in 2025.

Residential High-Efficiency Washing Machine Replacement Program As of 2018, clothes washers that have earned the ENERGY STAR certification use 14 gallons of water per load, compared to the 20 gallons used by a standard machine. CVWD now provides a high-efficiency washing machine rebate, offering a maximum of $150 rebate per installed washing machine. Washing machine must be ENERGY STAR certified with an Integrated Water Factor of 4.5 or less.

The promotion and use of high-efficiency washing machines has social value as it brings conservation products in direct contact with area users, thereby raising awareness of water conservation efforts.

Furthermore, the use of these products has the potential to reduce customer water, wastewater, gas and electric bills. This would reduce the need for groundwater pumping and replenishment, collection, treatment and the subsequent reuse or disposal of wastewater, as well as the numerous environmental benefits of reducing energy consumption.

Hot Water Recirculating Pump Rebate Program
CVWD offers a rebate program for residential customers who install a Hot Water Recirculating Pump in their home. Hot water recirculating pumps save water and energy by reducing the wait time for hot water to arrive at the faucet or shower. Research shows that hot water recirculating pumps can save anywhere from 3,000 to 12,000 gallons of water per year. CVWD will offer a maximum $125 rebate for installation or the cost of the recirculating pump, whichever is less.

4.9.2 Implementation of DMMs
CVWD is committed to conservation and water use efficiency to balance its sustainable water supply, and plans to continue its conservation program during the next five years. DMM implementation from program inception through fiscal year 2025 is summarized in Table 4-32.

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Table 4-32. Demand Management Measure Implementation Summary Program
Completed Since
Program Inception Completed 2016-2020 Completed 2021-2025 Landscape Plan Check 6,778 1,584 2,529
Residential Smart
Controller Installations
5,695 2,010 884
Lange Landscape Smart
Controller Rebates
2,324 797 665
Residential Turf
Conversions
6,529
(9,281,355 square feet)
2,998
(4,006,245 square feet)
2,233
(3,325,233 square feet)
Commercial/HOA Turf
Conversions
1,802
(17,342,127 square feet)
863
(8,067,213 square feet)
517 (4,544,580 square
feet)
Water Waste
Investigations
6,640 3,849 2,023
Toilet Rebates 8,083 4,187 3,054
CVWD plans to continue implementing DMMs to reduce per capita water use, reduce overall groundwater production, and maintain water supply reliability in all climate conditions.

4.10 Plan Adoption, Submittal, and Implementation
This section includes a discussion of CVWD’s process for adopting, submitting, and implementing the RUWMP and CVWD’s WSCP.

4.10.1 Notice of Plan Preparation and Public Hearing
CWC Section 10621(b) requires that water suppliers notify cities and counties within their service area that the UWMP and WSCP are being updated at least 60 days prior to the public hearing. CVWD issued a Notice of Plan Preparation stating that it was updating its plan and would hold a public hearing to consider adoption of the RUWMP and CVWD’s WSCP. CVWD provided written notice to the cities and counties within its service area on March 25, 2026. These entities are identified in Table 4-33, and the notification letters are included in Appendix A of the RUWMP. CVWD provided an additional notice to the cities and counties with the time and date of the public hearing.

Table 4-33. DWR 10-1R Notification to Cities and Counties 60 Day Notice Notice of Public Hearing
City
La Quinta Yes Yes
Indio Yes Yes
Coachella (Coachella Water Authority) Yes Yes
Palm Desert Yes Yes
Cathedral City Yes Yes
Indian Wells Yes Yes
Rancho Mirage Yes Yes
County
County of Riverside Transportation and Land Management
Agency - Planning Department Yes Yes
Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District Yes Yes Riverside County Department of Public Health Yes Yes
Imperial County Planning and Development Services Yes Yes

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CVWD published a notice of the public hearing in a local newspaper two weeks and one week before the public hearing itself to inform the public of the meeting time and place, with the location of where the draft 2025 RUWMP and WSCP were available for review. Copies of the published notices are included in Appendix A.

4.10.2 Public Hearing and Adoption
CVWD held a public hearing on May 27, 2026, located at Coachella Valley Water District, 75525 Hovley Ln E, Palm Desert, CA 92211 to hear public comment and consider adopting this RUWMP and CVWD’s WSCP. As part of the public hearing, CVWD provided information on CVWD’s municipal water demand forecast and supply reliability assessment, as well as an overview of DMMs and the WSCP. The public hearing on the RUWMP and CVWD’s WSCP took place before the adoption of the plans, which allowed the opportunity to modify the plans in response to public input before adoption. After the hearing, the plans were adopted as prepared or as modified during the hearing.

The adoption resolutions for the RUWMP and CVWD’s WSCP are included in Appendix F.

4.10.3 Plan Submittal
CVWD will submit the standard tables electronically to DWR using the DWR Water Use Efficiency Data Portal along with a copy of the final RUWMP. The RUWMP will also be submitted to the California State Library and to all cities and counties to which CVWD supplies water within 30 days of adoption.

CVWD is not regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission, so notification to the Commission does not apply.

4.10.4 Public Availability
The RUWMP and CVWD’s WSCP will be available on the CVWD website for public viewing within 30 days of filing the plans with DWR. Commencing no later than July 31, 2026, the RUWMP and WSCP will be available for public review at CVWD’s office (see address below) during regular business hours.

Coachella Valley Water District
51501 Tyler Street
Coachella, CA 92236
The final documents will also be posted on CVWD’s website at www.cvwd.org/543/Urban-WaterManagement-Planning.

4.10.5 Amending an Adopted UWMP or WSCP
If CVWD identifies the need to amend the adopted RUWMP or CVWD’s WSCP, each of the steps for notification, public hearing, adoption, and submittal will also be followed for the amended RUWMP.

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Chapter 5 Coachella Water Authority

5.1 Introduction
This chapter describes information specific to Coachella Water Authority (CWA) and its water use efficiency programs. As an urban water supplier, CWA is required to prepare a UWMP every five years in response to the requirements of the UWMP Act, CWC Sections 10610 through 10656. This RUWMP serves to meet the UWMP Act requirements for the six participating agencies, and this chapter contains information specific to CWA.

Background about the preparation of the RUWMP and the changes in the CWC requirements is presented in Chapter 1 of the RUWMP. The relation of the RUWMP to other planning efforts is described in Chapter 3 of the RUWMP.

5.1.1 Chapter Organization
This chapter is organized into the sections recommended by the 2025 UWMP Guidebook prepared by DWR.
• Section 5.1 - Introduction. Provides a discussion on the fundamentals of the UWMP and the required Lay Description of the UWMP. Each UWMP must include a Lay Description of how much water the agency has on a reliable basis, how much it needs for the foreseeable future, what the agency’s strategy is for meeting its water needs, the challenges facing the agency, and any other information necessary to provide a general understanding. • Section 5.2 - Plan Preparation. Provides information on CWA’s process for developing the UWMP, including efforts in coordination and outreach.
• Section 5.3 - Service Area Description. Includes maps of the service area, a description of the service area and climate, public water systems, and CWA’s organizational structure and history. • Section 5.4 - Water Use Characterization. Describes and quantifies the current and projected urban water uses within CWA’s service area.
• Section 5.5 – SB7x7 Baselines, 2020 Targets, and 2025 Reporting. Describes CWA’s methods for calculating baseline and 2020 target urban water consumption and reporting 2020 target compliance from the 2020 UWMP.
• Section 5.6 - Water Supply Characterization. Describes and quantifies current and projected sources of urban water available to CWA. Includes discussion of potential recycled water uses and supply availability.
• Section 5.7 - Water Service Reliability and Drought Risk Assessment. Describes the reliability of CWA’s water supply and projects the reliability for the next 25 years. Includes an analysis for normal years, single dry years, and a five-consecutive-year drought. • Section 5.8 - Water Shortage Contingency Plan. Refers to the appendix which provides CWA’s staged plan for dealing with water shortages, including a catastrophic supply interruption. • Section 5.9 - Demand Management Measures. Describes CWA’s efforts to promote conservation and to reduce demand through demand management measures. • Section 5.10 - Plan Adoption, Submittal, and Implementation. Describes the steps taken by CWA to adopt and submit the UWMP and to make it publicly available. Includes a discussion of CWA’s plan to implement the UWMP.
• Appendices. Each Supplier may have information that is best appended to the 2025 UWMP, to support and further clarify information included in the main chapters.

5.1.2 UWMPs in Relation to Other Efforts
The related planning efforts by agencies in the Coachella Valley are described in Chapter 2 of the RUWMP.

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5.1.3 UWMPs and Grant or Loan Eligibility
CWA has prepared and adopted this 2025 UWMP, including compliance with water conservation requirements, and is therefore eligible for State water grants or loans.

5.1.4 Demonstration of Consistency with the Delta Plan for Participants in Covered Actions The participating agencies’ approach to demonstrating reduced reliance on the Delta is discussed in Chapter 3 of the RUWMP. The analysis of reduced Delta reliance is provided in Appendix B.

5.2 Plan Preparation
This section provides information on CWA’s process for developing the RUWMP, including efforts in coordination and outreach.

5.2.1 Plan Preparation
In accordance with the CWC, urban water suppliers must develop a UWMP every five years. An “urban water supplier” is a supplier providing water for municipal purposes to more than 3,000 service connections or supplying 3,000 AFY or more. CWA supplies approximately 7,800 AFY to 9,500 municipal service connections and, therefore, surpasses both the volumetric delivery and number of connections thresholds and has prepared a 2025 UWMP.

5.2.2 Basis for Preparing a Plan
CWA is a retail public water supplier that meets the definition of an urban water supplier with over 9,500 municipal water service connections. CWA operates a single Public Water System, with information summarized in Table 5-1.

Table 5-1. DWR 2-1R Public Water Systems
Public
Water System Number
Public
Water System Name
Number of Municipal
Connections 2025
Volume of Water
Supplied 2025 (AF)
3310007 Coachella Water Authority 9,534 7,782
Total 9,534 7,782

5.2.3 Regional Planning
The regional planning efforts of water supply agencies in the Coachella Valley are described in Chapters 2 and 3 of the RUWMP.

The UWMP Act allows water agencies to prepare their plans either individually or by participation in an area wide, regional, watershed, or basin-wide urban water management plan. CWA is participating in the Coachella Valley RUWMP.

5.2.4 Individual or Regional Planning and Compliance
The Water Conservation Act of 2009 allows agencies to report progress toward achieving water conservation targets on an individual or regional basis. The agencies have not created a Regional Alliance for the purposes of measuring and reporting water conservation targets.

5.2.5 Fiscal or Calendar Year and Units of Measure
This UWMP reports water use on a calendar year basis, and all volumes are expressed in units of acrefeet (AF), unless otherwise indicated. CWA is a retail agency and does not currently sell wholesale water.

Table 5-2 shows CWA’s supplier identification information used throughout this report.

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Table 5-2. DWR 2-3 Supplier Identification
Information Supplier Identification
Type of Supplier Supplier is a retail supplier
Fiscal or Calendar Year UWMP Tables are in calendar years Unit of measure used in UWMP AF

5.2.6 Coordination and Outreach
CWA does not receive water from a wholesale supplier and meets all its water demands through its own supplies. CWA does not currently provide wholesale water to other water agencies.

Outreach and coordination with other local agencies during RUWMP preparation, including notices to the cities and counties within the region, are described in Chapter 1 of the RUWMP.

5.3 Service Area Description
This section provides information on CWA’s service area, population and demographics.

5.3.1 General Description
The City of Coachella (City) is a desert community of approximately 42,000 people located at the eastern end of the Coachella Valley, in Riverside County, California. The City is located southeast of the San Gorgonio Pass, east of the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains, and north of the Salton Sea. The current City limits encompass over 20,000 acres, and the sphere of influence (SOI) encompasses approximately 13,000 additional acres around the City. The City is responsible for the water service for its residents. Administered and managed by the Utilities General Manager under direct supervision of the City Manager, CWA is the municipal utilities department of the City responsible for the potable water and sanitary wastewater systems. CWA oversees the maintenance, operation and treatment of water distribution and wastewater collection. Additionally, CWA focuses on environmental compliance issues relating to water quality, pretreatment, stormwater, documentation of illegal hazardous waste disposal, and NPDES permits.

Existing land uses within the City consist primarily of single and multi‐family residential. There is a commercial/light industrial zone along the freeway corridor, agricultural zone east of Highway 86/111, and a heavier industrial zone in the southern part of the City. Full buildout of the City’s SOI, for a total service area of approximately 53 square miles, is not anticipated until sometime after 2050.

The City provides the following water‐related services: domestic water delivery, wastewater collection and reclamation, and local drainage control. In addition, the City manages the Coachella Sanitary District, which operates a wastewater treatment facility. The City may develop a recycled water system in the future.

5.3.1.1 Domestic Water Delivery
CWA’s current water supply source is groundwater from the Indio Subbasin produced from CWA owned and operated wells. Currently, the City limits extend beyond CWA’s current water distribution service area.

However, the demand forecast included in this UWMP takes into account the entire City limits and its SOI when considering potential growth and demand.

CWA’s existing water system consists of different pressure zones, groundwater wells, storage reservoirs, booster pumping stations, and distribution facilities. The current water system is divided into two pressure zones, the Low Zone and the 150 Zone. The Low Zone Area is generally south of 48th Avenue, bounded by Van Buren on the west, the CVSC on the east, and 54th Avenue on the south. The Low Zone provides water service to the majority of the City and as the City continues to grow, the Low Zone will extend further east. The 150 Zone service area is generally north of 48th Avenue and supplies commercial and light industrial users along the Interstate 10 freeway corridor.

CWA has one principal source of water supply: local groundwater pumped from the CWA‐owned wells.

There are currently seven wells within the City’s distribution system and construction of one new well is

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under contract for 2026. The total pumping capacity of active wells is approximately 11,400 gallons per minute or 16.5 MGD.

There are three storage reservoirs within the City, the 1.5 MG Dillion Road Reservoir, the 3.6 MG Mecca Reservoir, and the 5.4 MG Well 18 Reservoir. CWA has a total reservoir storage capacity of approximately

10.5 MG; of which, approximately 1.5 MG lies within the 150 Zone.

CWA operates two booster pumping stations, the Mecca Reservoir booster pump station (Well 12 Booster) and the Well 18 Reservoir booster pump station (Well 18 Booster). The Well 12 Booster supplies the Low Zone and takes suction from the Mecca Reservoir, and the Well 18 Booster supplies both the 150 Zone and Low Zone, and takes suction from the Well 18 Reservoir. As of February 2026, a third booster station is under construction.

CWA’s distribution system network consists of approximately 120 miles of pipeline, which range from 4‐ inches to 36‐inches in diameter. It is estimated that a majority of pipes in the City’s water distribution system network were installed between the year 1940 and year 1990. The older pipes reside in the southerly section of the lower zone, and the newer pipes are in the northerly section. Asbestos cement is the most common pipeline material in the City, according to operations staff; with the remaining pipelines being either polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or ductile iron and lined steel.

5.3.1.2 Wastewater Collection and Treatment
CWA Sanitation Division manages the wastewater collection system for the City, which consists of about 90 miles of sewers that collect local flows generated from the City’s residential, commercial, and industrial areas and discharge to the Coachella WWTP, which has a treatment capacity of 4.5 MGD (5,040 AFY).

The wastewater system collects flow by gravity from the majority of the area and discharges into the Coachella WWTP. There are two pump stations one located on the west side near the Coachella Valley High School and one located on Polk Street and Avenue 52. Following secondary treatment utilizing activated sludge and oxidation ditch processes, the plant discharges treated effluent to the CVSC.

5.3.1.3 Local Drainage Control
Through its Environmental Compliance Division, CWA also manages stormwater runoff control in the City.

The storm drain system consists of gutters, storm drains, and channels. Most runoff travels through the storm drain system and eventually into the CVSC. Runoff from over-irrigation is a violation of the City’s NPDES (stormwater) and Landscaping and Water Conservation Ordinances and guidelines, and warnings and citations for violations are enforced by CWA.

5.3.2 Service Area Boundary
The City is not built out, with large undeveloped parcels and agricultural areas that extend mostly east of Highway 86. Agricultural areas are not served by CWA’s water system and rely on Coachella Canal water and privately owned and operated wells. As undeveloped and agricultural lands are developed into residential or other land uses, they will be served by CWA and become part of CWA’s service area. For the purpose of developing SBx7-7 baselines and targets in 2020, CWA delineated the existing water service area based on the existing distribution system. Figure 5-1 shows the existing boundary.

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Figure 5-1. CWA Service Area Boundary

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5.3.3 Service Area Climate
CWA's service area lies within the central Coachella Valley, which experiences an arid climate characterized by low humidity, high summer temperatures, and mild dry winters. The City’s climate is arid with the majority of precipitation occurring as rainfall in the winter months between November and March.

The average rainfall for the Coachella area is approximately 4‐inches per year. Winter temperatures are generally between the low 40’s and the mid 70’s. Summer temperatures are generally between mid‐ 70’s and the low 100’s.

Data from the climate station in Indio represents climate in the CWA service area. Monthly average high temperature reaches 106 degrees and monthly average low temperatures are 39 degrees. Table 5-3 shows the average monthly temperature, precipitation and reference Evapotranspiration (ETo) for the area. The data are shown graphically in Figure 5-2.

Table 5-3. Monthly Average Climate Data (Indio)
Parameter Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual Average Max.

Temperature (F)
72 75 82 87 93 103 106 106 101 90 80 65 88
Average Minimum
Temperature (F)
42 45 52 58 63 70 76 75 69 59 49 39 58
Average Total
Precipitation (in)

0.5 0.6 0.7 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.4 0.2 0.7 3.8
Evapotranspiration,
ETo (in)

2.7 3.6 6.0 7.7 9.2 9.8 9.7 9.1 7.2 5.2 3.3 2.3 75.7
Notes:

Data from California Irrigation Management Information System (CIMIS) Station 200, Indio 2. Data from May 2006 through December 2020
Figure 5-2. Monthly Average Climate Data
A discussion of the potential impacts of climate change on the region is included in Chapter 3 of the RUWMP.

0.5 0.6 0.7 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.4 0.2 0.7

2.7 3.6

6.0 7.7

9.2 9.8 9.7

9.1 7.2

5.2 3.3

2.3 -
20 40
60 80
100
120
-

2.0 4.0

6.0 8.0

10.0 12.0
Temperature (F)
Precipitation and ETo (in)
Precipitation (in) ETo (in) Maximum Air Temperature (F) Minimum Air Temperature (F)

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5.3.4 Service Area Population and Demographics
This section describes the population and demographics within CWA’s service area. CWA’s water service area population is expected to increase substantially in the future. Currently, the water service area lies within the City’s boundaries, serving the more densely populated areas to the west and commercial/resort areas to the north.

Current and projected demographics within CWA’s service area were developed by SCAG as part of the 2024 Regional Transportation Plan, referred to as Connect SoCal (SCAG, 2024). As part of that effort, SCAG performed a detailed evaluation of current and projected future demographics throughout southern California, including the study area for the RUWMP. The Connect SoCal analysis included forecasts for employment, population, and households within cities and unincorporated areas. This demographic information was used to prepare projections of future water demands.

The growth forecasts in SCAG’s Connect SoCal plan included estimates of population, households, and employment through 2050. The 2024 Connect SoCal update projects that the population of Riverside County will increase by approximately 50% through 2050. The 2024 update also notes that the region’s population decline between 2019 and 2023 and attributes this decrease to COVID-19 pandemic impacts.

Traffic and visitation declined during the pandemic but has recovered to or exceeded pre-pandemic levels in most communities. SCAG notes that the median age is increasing and unpredictable events like the COVID-19 pandemic may cause significant deviations from projected long-term trends.

To estimate service area population, both permanent residents and seasonal residents were estimated.

Estimates of the permanent population were made using SCAG housing estimates, housing density, and water meter connections. The water service area shown in Figure 5-1 was intersected with 2019 housing totals from SCAG’s Connect SoCal 2024 growth projection (SCAG, 2024). Household totals for 2025 were estimated by multiplying the 2019 totals by the growth in residential meter connections from 2019 to 2025.

The permanent population was estimated by multiplying the 2025 household totals by the number of persons per household for each jurisdiction within the City’s service area using Census data. The seasonal population was then estimated by dividing the permanent population totals by the occupancy rate from the Census for each jurisdiction to determine the number of housing units in the City’s service area, and multiplying the total number of housing units by the difference between the average vacancy rate for California and the vacancy rate of each jurisdiction in the City’s service area. This resulting number was used for the seasonal population estimate.

The City of Coachella’s Development Services Department has plans for several proposed development projects, ranging in size from 10 residential units to mixed‐use developments with over 7,500 residential units. These units are included in the City’s SOI, which is not anticipated for full build out until after 2050.

The current and projected population are shown in Table 5-4.

Table 5-4. DWR 3-1R Current and Projected Population
Population Served 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050
Permanent 48,891 73,315 97,740 115,922 134,105 152,287
Seasonal 275 302 329 236 144 52
Total 49,166 73,617 98,069 116,159 134,249 152,339
A summary of demographic data for the City is presented in Table 5-5.

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Table 5-5. Coachella City Demographic Data
Age Distribution
Race/Ethnicity
Distribution
Income and
Household Size
Household
Income Distribution
Age Percent Race/Ethnicity Percent Parameter Amount Income Percent 19 years and
under

26.6% White 1.7% Median
household
income
$34,224 $24,999 and
under

35.5%
20-34 years 24.1% Black 0.6% Average
household
income
$46,759 $25,000-
$49,999

30.1%
35-54 years 31.1% Native
American

0.1% Per capita
income
$17,442 $50,000-
$74,999

16.3%
55-64 years 9.9% Asian/Pacific
Islander

0.2% Percent of
Population
Below Poverty
Level

21.8% $75,000-
$99,999

8.8%
Over 65
years

8.3% Hispanic 97.3% Average
Household Size

2.92 $100,000-
$149,999

6.2%
Other 0.0% $150,000 and
above

3.1%
Source: American Community Survey 2014-2019 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2021)

5.3.5 Land Uses within Service Area
Existing land uses within the CWA water service area are a mixture of residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, and open space. Land use within CWA’s service area is subject to the jurisdiction of the City of Coachella and Riverside County. During its preparation of regional growth projections, SCAG gathered input and coordinated outreach with both jurisdictions.

CWA has coordinated with land use planners within the City to align its RUWMP growth and demand projections with local plans. The following is a brief summary of the nature and status of the City’s larger development projects (Coachella 2023).

5.3.5.1 La Entrada
The La Entrada Specific Plan, approximately 2,200 acres on the eastern edge of the City, south of Interstate 10 and northeast of the All American Canal, provides for approximately 7,800 residential units, 135 acres of mixed‐use, elementary schools, 343.8 acres of parks, multi‐ purpose trails and 556.9 acres of open space. The La Entrada development has completed environmental review and is undergoing City development review. Construction is expected to follow the City’s approval process. As of February 2026, construction has not commenced.

5.3.5.2 KPC Coachella
The KPC Coachella Specific Plan entails the construction of approximately 9,536 dwelling units of a variety of residential types, 305 acres of mixed-use areas, a college/university overlay, 71 acres of proposed school facilities (3 elementary schools and 1 middle school), 395 acres of parks, greenways, and amenity centers, 68 acres of Agricultural Production areas, and 754 acres of natural open space, including drainage channels and trails located at the northeast portion of the City, North of the I-10 Freeway and East of the All American Canal. A notice of preparation of a draft EIR was published on November 14, 2022.

5.3.5.3 Coachella Vineyard
The Coachella Vineyard Specific Plan provides for 807 units in the southeastern area of the City. The Coachella Vineyard development is currently undeveloped and located east of State Route 86. As of February 2026, construction has not commenced.

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5.3.5.4 Brandenburg Butters Specific Plan
The Brandenburg Butters project provides for 71.5 acres of commercial uses and 1,381 dwelling units. The project has been approved by City Council and Planning Commission; however, no units have been constructed as of February 2026. This development is centrally located, east of State Route 86.

5.3.5.5 Eagle Falls
The Eagle Falls Specific Plan resides in both Coachella (60 acres) and Indio (30 acres) on a 90‐acre site.

The project includes 295 units, of which 202 units will be within the City. The Specific Plan provides for a gated golf course community and is included as a part of the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians Fantasy Springs Master Plan. The golf course was opened in 2007 and rough grading has been completed for the Eagle Falls residential development; however, no units have been constructed to date.

5.3.5.6 Vista Del Agua
The "Vista Del Agua" project is a proposed master-planned community to be developed on 275.38 acres of vacant land located east of Tyler Street, north of Avenue 48, and west of Polk Street, on the south side of the I-10 Freeway and Vista Del Sur. The project will include a variety of residential neighborhoods with up to 1,640 total dwelling units, plus 17.57 acres of General Commercial use, 8.27 acres of Neighborhood Center with Residential Overlay, and a 13.82 park site. The Planning Commission recommended to City Council approval of the Specific Plan and EIR on June 19, 2019. The City Council took final approval actions on the Vista Del Agua project on May 13, 2020.

5.4 Water Use Characterization
This section presents the City’s current and projected urban water system demands. To provide an adequate long-range view of future water needs, this report uses a 25-year planning period from 2025 to 2050. This RUWMP will serve as a source document for future water supply assessments and written supply verifications until the next 5-year UWMP update.

5.4.1 Non-Potable Versus Potable Water Use
CWA produces all its water supplies from the Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin, Indio Subbasin, which is continuously replenished through a variety of CVWD and DWA water supply projects and programs. The Indio Subbasin is regionally managed by the six participating agencies in this RUWMP.

Currently, CWA does not produce or use recycled water or raw water in its service area; however, the City is considering a recycled water system in the future. While raw water, via the Coachella Canal, is used within the City limits, it is used for agricultural purposes and is not considered part of urban water demands.

Per CVWD Ordinance No. 1428, CWA has opportunity to receive non-potable Colorado River water for additional potable water supply when available. As the water becomes available, CWA may work with CVWD to pursue those opportunities to supplement its water portfolio.

5.4.2 Water Use by Sector
CWA maintains records of total water production and water consumed by its customers. Water use is tracked by customer type, using CWA’s billing system. The urban demand sectors that apply to CWA are summarized in Table 5-6.

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Table 5-6. Water Use Sectors
Sector Description
Single-Family Residential Single-family residential customers constitute the majority of CWA's customers.

Multi-Family Residential Higher-density residential developments such as apartments and townhomes also contribute a significant portion of urban demand within the CWA service area.

Commercial/Industrial/
Institutional
CWA serves a small commercial zone consisting of retail, office, lodging, restaurant, and service businesses, primarily located along the Interstate 10 corridor within the 150 Pressure Zone. Industrial and Institutional uses are a small portion of overall water use and are combined with commercial uses for the purposes of this report.

Landscape A portion of CWA’s outdoor water demand is served by dedicated landscape meters. These connections may be associated with large single family properties or multi-family, commercial, or institutional/governmental sites, but are considered a separate water use sector because the connection is solely for landscape irrigation.

Other Other uses include water used for construction, authorized non-billed use (such as firefighting or flushing), and losses from the system.

CWA does not sell water to any other agencies or districts and there are no plans to wholesale municipal water in the future. CWA does not use its potable water supply for any purpose other than domestic water.

5.4.2.1 Distribution System Losses
The difference between water production and metered water deliveries (billed to customers) is defined as non-revenue water. Non-revenue water includes authorized non-billed use (such as firefighting or flushing), and it includes losses from the system. CWA prepares annual water audits using the AWWA Water Audit Software. The reporting and results are summarized in Table 5-7. The completed audits are included in Appendix E of the RUWMP.

Table 5-7. Water Loss Audit Results
Report Period Start Date
MM YYYY Volume of Water Loss (AFY) Submitted to DWR Water Loss Audit Program 01 2020 122 Yes
01 2021 129 Yes
01 2022 584 Yes
01 2023 103 Yes
01 2024 439 Yes
The real water loss performance standard for CWA’s distribution system is 16.8 gallons per connection per day, a 54 percent reduction from the State estimated baseline of 36.4 gallons per connection per day.

Suppliers will be required to submit a registry of breaks, repairs, and estimates of water loss every three years, beginning in 2029 for the 2025 through 2027 period. Water losses for the supplied data period will be assessed compared to the performance standard. The City’s water loss currently averages about 41.5 gallons per connection per day, with the most recent reporting year averaging 34.2 gallons of real water loss per connection per day. Table 5-8 shows the City’s progress towards the 2028 Water Loss Standard.

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Table 5-8. DWR 4-6R Progress Towards 2028 Water Loss Standard Public Water
System ID #
Reported in
Submittal
Table 2-1 R
Did the Water
Board
Calculate a
Water Loss
Standard for
this Public
Water
System?
Real Water Loss
State Water Board Standard
Most Recent AWWA Water
Loss Audit
Real
Water
Loss Per
Unit per
Day
2028 Real
Water Loss
Standard per
Unit per day
Units for
Real Water
Loss
Number of
Units
Volume of
Total Real
Loss (from
AWWA Water
Loss Audit)
CA3310007 Yes 16.8 Gallons per
Connection
per Day
(GPCPD)
9,055 421.19 34.2
Public Water
System ID #
Reported in
Submittal
Table 2-1 R
Did the Water
Board
Calculate a
Water Loss
Standard for
this Public
Water
System?
Apparent Water Loss
State Water Board Standard
Most Recent AWWA Water
Loss Audit
Apparent
Water
Loss Per
Unit per
Day
2028
Apparent
Water Loss
Standard per
Unit per Day
Units for
Apparent
Water Loss
Number of
Connections
Volume of
Total
Apparent
Loss
(from AWWA
Water Loss
Audit)
CA3310007 Yes 7.1 Gallons per
Connection
per Day
(GPCPD)
9,055 74.33 7.3

5.4.2.2 Summary of Current Uses
CWA’s urban water use for 2020 through 2025 is summarized in Table 5-9.

Table 5-9. DWR 4-1R Urban Water Use 2020-2025 (AFY)
Use Type
Additional
Description
Level of
Treatment 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Single Family Potable 4,283 4,304 4,231 3,874 3,963 4,284 Multi-Family Potable 633 748 742 741 712 821
Commercial/
Industrial/
Institutional
Potable 779 852 1,062 925 912 994
Landscape Potable 1,087 1,136 991 933 1,069 1,163
Other Construction Potable 62 124 0 61 163 245
Other Non-revenue Potable 372 359 181 655 1,032 275
Total 7,216 7,523 7,207 7,190 7,851 7,782
Note: Non-revenue water is the difference between production and customer billing. It includes losses and authorized, non-billed consumption. 2025 Non-Revenue water was estimated as an average of AWWA report NonRevenue numbers for years 2020-2024.

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5.4.3 Demand Forecast
CWA is participating in the 2027 update of the Indio Subbasin Alternate Plan being prepared to meet requirements of SGMA. The RUWMP agencies coordinated efforts with demand projections being prepared for the Indio Subbasin Alternative Plan. The demand projection approach included the following steps:

1. The projections were based on the regional growth forecast prepared by SCAG as part of their Regional Transportation Plan, Connect SoCal 2024 (SCAG, 2024). SCAG gathered input from cities and counties throughout Southern California about expected growth and development for the next 25 years and incorporated the land use designations in each jurisdiction’s General Plan. The SCAG analysis includes estimates of population, households, and employment in each Traffic Analysis Zone (TAZ) in their study area (SCAG 2024).

2. Additional analysis of vacancy rates was performed to estimated baseline and projected housing units for the study area, including housing units used by seasonal residents and other part-time uses.

3. Baseline and projected estimates of employment were used to drive future growth in CII demands

4. Five years of customer billing data (2020 to 2024) were used to develop unit demand factors specific to the CWA service area. These factors have units of gallons per housing unit for residential and landscape uses and gallons per employee for CII uses.

5. Water losses were estimated using water loss audits from the last five years (2020 to 2024).

6. Demands were adjusted for the following types of conservation savings:
• Indoor passive conservation savings from the natural replacement of indoor devices and plumbing fixtures.
• Outdoor water use reduction at new developments from the implementation of the City’s Model Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance (MWELO) requirements in Section 8.44.220 of City Ordinance Number 1192
• Outdoor conservation savings from turf replacement due to local rebate programs. • Outdoor conservation savings from the installation of smart irrigation controllers due to local rebate programs.
• Outdoor conservation savings from the implementation of California’s non-functional turf ban (AB 1572).

The projected municipal demands for CWA’s service area are shown in Table 5-10.

Table 5-10. DWR 4-2R Projected Demands for Water
Use Type
Additional
Description
Projected Water Use (AFY)
2030 2035 2040 2045 2050
Single Family Potable 4,180 4,406 4,672 4,972 5,272
Multi-Family Potable 604 553 507 474 440
Commercial/Industrial/Institutional Potable 986 1,087 1,147 1,208 1,269 Landscape Potable 1,093 1,300 1,600 1,900 2,200
Other Potable 83 83 83 83 83
Losses Potable 435 512 602 693 783
Subtotal Potable 7,382 7,941 8,610 9,329 10,048
Total 7,382 7,941 8,610 9,329 10,048

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5.4.3.1 Conservation Savings
Demand projections prepared for this RUWMP considered anticipated future water savings (summarized in Step 6 above). The analysis included indoor savings related to toilets, showerheads, dishwashers, clothes washers, faucets, and urinals (categorized as indoor water use) as well as outdoor water use. Indoor conservation is mainly a result of government mandated water efficiency requirements for fixtures, defined as “passive savings”. The model considers these mandates and the average useful life and replacement rates for each type of fixture based on standard industry estimates and plumbing fixture saturation studies.

It assumes that all new construction complies with the plumbing codes in effect at that time and that when a device is replaced, the new device is also in compliance with the current plumbing codes. Estimated frequency of use for each type of fixture was based on a Conservation and Efficiency Potential study by the Pacific Institute were multiplied by the number of housing units to produce the total indoor passive conservation savings (Pacific Institute, 2014).

Anticipated outdoor water use savings were based primarily on irrigation reduction via the implementation of ordinances and incentives for water reduction. One such ordinance is the California MWELO which is the standard for outdoor water conservation for the state. The resulting water savings from the MWELO are estimated using an ETAF which adjusts the reference ET for plant requirements and irrigation efficiency.

Additional outdoor water use savings are anticipated due to the non-functional turf ban, smart irrigation controllers, and turf replacement. AB 1572, passed in 2023, banned the use of potable water to irrigate non-functional turf (i.e. ornamental grass not used for recreation). The ban will go into effect in phases beginning in 2027 and will affect commercial, institutional, and homeowner association owned properties.

CWA also has rebates in place to encourage water conservation through the installment of smart irrigation controllers and turf replacement. These savings are not considered passive as they are implemented through incentives under conservation programs.

The anticipated passive savings due to these measures are summarized in Table 5-11. These savings have been incorporated into the water demand projections presented in Table 5-10.

Table 5-11. DWR 4-4R Passive Water Savings Projections (AFY) 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050
Device Replacement 1,040 1,892 2,759 3,578 4,395
MWELO 273 500 734 968 1,202
Non-Functional Turf Ban 235 313 313 313 313
Total Passive Savings 1,547 2,706 3,806 4,858 5,910

5.4.3.2 Total Gross Water Use
The current and projected future gross water use are summarized in Table 5-12.

Table 5-12. DWR 4-3R Total Gross Water Use (AFY)
- 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050
Potable and Raw Water
From DWR Table 4-1R and 4-2R
7,782 7,382 7,941 8,610 9,329 10,048
Recycled Water Demand
From DWR Table 6-4R
0 0 0 0 0 0
Total Water Use 7,782 7,382 7,941 8,610 9,329 10,048

5.4.4 Water Use for Lower Income Households
The SCAG Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) Housing Need by Income Category is used to develop projections of lower income housing units in future years. Lower income households are those with less than 80 percent of the area’s median household income, adjusted for family size. The City will strive

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to meet their new construction goals of the RHNA. The demand for lower income households is included in the water use projections in Table 5-10.

SCAG assigned a RHNA share of 2,032 low to extremely low housing units to the City of Coachella for the 2021- 2029 RHNA period. The estimated water demand increase for these 2,032 lower income housing units is estimated at 691 AFY, which is included in CWA’s demand projections.

5.4.5 Climate Change Considerations
Potential impacts of climate change on water use in the region are discussed in Chapter 3 of the RUWMP.

Increased temperatures in the Coachella Valley are expected to increase water demands for crop and landscape irrigation, municipal water use, and evaporative losses from canals and open reservoirs.

Increased summer temperatures could draw increased monsoonal flow resulting in more frequent summer thunderstorms. As part of this RUWMP and the associated Alternative Plan Updates, the water suppliers have adopted a consensus approach to modeling the potentials impacts of climate change on local runoff, groundwater recharge, and SWP and Colorado River deliveries. A combination of state- and local-led DMMs may reduce demand for irrigation via landscape ordinances while public outreach and education can lead to reductions in water demands through conservation measures.

5.5 SB X7-7 Baselines, 2020 Targets, and 2025 Reporting With the adoption of the Water Conservation Act of 2009 (SB X7-7), the State set a goal of reducing urban water use by 20 percent by the year 2020. Each retail urban water supplier was required to determine its water use during a baseline period and establish water use targets for the years 2015 and 2020 in order to help the State achieve the 20 percent reduction.

In the 2025 UWMP, water agencies must demonstrate compliance with their established water use target for the year 2020. The SBx7-7 Verification Forms were presented in the 2020 UWMP, Appendix E. This section also demonstrates that CWA achieved its 2020 water use target in 2020.

5.5.1 SB7x7 Baselines and 2020 Targets
SBx7-7 required urban water suppliers to establish a per capita water use target for 2020 to be calculated by using one of four methods. CWA selected to use Method 1, which was calculated as 80 percent of the urban retail water supplier’s baseline per capita daily water use using a 10-year average starting no earlier than 1995. Based on the selected 10-year baseline of 208 GPCD. Using that criteria, CWA’s selected 2020 target was 200 GPCD.

5.5.2 Calculating Population and Gross Water Use
To assess compliance with the 2020 water use target in GPCD, CWA’s service area population and gross water use were compared to the SBx7-7 target. The gross water used was determined from the City’s annual groundwater production and storage records. Meter adjustments, exported water, distribution system storage, recycled water, and process water were not applicable to CWA’s distribution system. This volume was excluded from the SBx7-7 compliance calculation. CWA’s water use was calculated as 141 GPCD for year 2020.

5.5.3 Supplier Met 2020 Target in 2020
CWA met their 2020 target as reflected in Table 5-13 below, which includes their 2020 target and 2020 Actual GPCD. CWA was not a part of a merger or consolidation and was not a part of an SBx7-7 Regional Alliance target.

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Table 5-13. SB X7-7 2020 Target Progress
Was Supplier part of a
merger or consolidation
since 2020?
Regional Alliance
Target or Individual
Target?
2020
Target
Actual
2020
GPCD
Did Supplier Achieve
Targeted Reduction for
2020?
No Individual Target 200 141 Yes

5.6 Water Supply Characterization
This section describes and quantifies the sources of water available to CWA.

5.6.1 Water Supply Analysis Overview
CWA produces all its water supplies from the Coachella Valley Groundwater Basin, Indio Subbasin, which is continuously replenished by DWA and CVWD with imported water. The Indio Subbasin serves as an expansive conjunctive use resource that is capable of ensuring a sufficient and sustainable water supply to serve existing uses and projected growth during normal, single‐dry and multiple‐dry years over an extended planning horizon. Not only does the Indio Subbasin contain vast reserves of local groundwater (approximately 30 million AF at 1,000-foot depth), it has substantial available storage space that has been utilized and will continue to be utilized to store supplemental supplies that become available during normal and above‐normal years. Those surplus supplies are recharged to the Indio Subbasin for later use during dry periods.

5.6.2 Supply Characterization
This discussion includes the types of water supply considered by DWR. As shown in Table 5-14, CWA serves 100 percent of customer demands with groundwater.

Table 5-14. Urban Water Supply 2020-2024 (AFY)
Water Supply Additional Description 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Groundwater Indio Subbasin 7,216 7,523 7,207 7,190 7,851 Total 7,216 7,523 7,207 7,190 7,851

5.6.2.1 Purchased or Imported Water
CWA does not use purchased or imported water. As described in Chapter 3 of the RUWMP, imported water is used in the region for groundwater replenishment.

5.6.2.2 Groundwater
Groundwater is the principal source of municipal water supply in the Coachella Valley. CWA produces water from the Indio Subbasin, which is a common groundwater source shared by CVWD, CWA, DWA, Indio, MDMWC, and numerous private groundwater producers. Discussion of on-going efforts to manage the Indio Subbasin are presented in Chapter 3 of the RUWMP.

CWA extracts groundwater comprising natural recharge, artificial recharge with imported water, nonconsumptive return, and groundwater from storage. Net natural replenishment for the Indio Subbasin averages 52,500 AFY. Groundwater from storage is continued groundwater extraction, typically in dry years, required to meet demands in addition to natural and imported supplies. Non-consumptive return flows are estimated to be 29 to 35 percent of groundwater applied on landscapes but not consumed, which therefore percolates to groundwater.

CWA’s total groundwater production for the past five years is presented in Table 5-15. In response to growth, CWA will gradually increase groundwater production to meet demands. CWA intends to continue meeting its urban water demands with groundwater.

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Table 5-15. DWR 6-1R Groundwater Volume Pumped (AFY)
Groundwater Type Location or Basin Name 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Alluvial Basin Indio Subbasin 7,523 7,207 7,190 7,851 7,782 Total 7,523 7,207 7,190 7,851 7,782
Groundwater Quality
CWA’s water quality meets MCLs for monitored primary, secondary, or microbial contaminants. All water provided by CWA meets all U.S. EPA and SWRCB guidelines (CWA 2025a). Groundwater quality is high and currently only receives chlorine disinfection.

The federal MCLs for PFAS, specifically PFOA and FPOS, of 4.0 parts per trillion (ppt) were set in April 2024. CWA is actively monitoring and testing its water system for PFAS chemicals.

In October 2024, the SWRCB approved the country’s first drinking water standard for hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) at 10 μg/L. CWA has been working hard to find the most economical way to treat five of its wells that are impacted by chromium-6 ranging from 13 to 21 μg/L (CWA 2025b). CWA is working with SWRCB to address the exceedances and comply with the MCL within the compliance timeline.

There are two major developments within CWA’s SOI that are scheduled to be built on the east side of the San Andreas Fault, which lies outside of the Indio Subbasin. These developments would lie within the Fargo Canyon Subarea of the Desert Hot Springs Subbasin. Within this area, groundwater is generally of poor quality (TDS >1,000 mg/L) and the native yield is limited. Groundwater supply for developments within the Fargo Canyon Subarea of the Desert Hot Springs Subbasin will most likely have come from new wells added on the westerly side of the San Andreas Fault due to the groundwater quality issues on the east side. While wellhead or centralized treatment for these contaminants is possible, it may or may not prove to be economical for CWA. Further analysis of this would be required to make a determination on where or how to proceed.

5.6.2.3 Surface Water
CWA does not currently use or intend to use any local surface water as part of its urban water supply. Local runoff percolates into the groundwater basin through tributary and Whitewater River streambeds.

5.6.2.4 Stormwater
CWA does not currently use or intend to use local stormwater runoff as part of its water supply. However, that could change in the future and will be further evaluated at that time.

5.6.2.5 Wastewater and Recycled Water
The City of Coachella provides both water and wastewater services within its jurisdiction. The City of Coachella manages the Coachella Sanitary District, which operates the Coachella WRF, a secondary treatment facility with a permitted capacity of 4.5 MGD. The facility was upgraded to its current capacity in 2010. Average daily influent flows are approximately 3.0 MGD, with average daily effluent flows of approximately 2.7 MGD. The Coachella WRF provides full secondary treatment utilizing oxidation ditches for biological treatment and denitrification. Waste activated sludge is dewatered onsite using drying beds and subsequently transported offsite for disposal or beneficial reuse in accordance with applicable regulations.

CWA currently does not have recycled water use within its service area. CWA continues to evaluate opportunities to expand water reuse and recycled water infrastructure as part of its long-term water management planning efforts. Potential uses of recycled water could be implemented, including non‐ potable water systems for larger developments. Requiring new developments to include a “non‐potable” water distribution system could help offset much of the costs associated with delivering recycled water system‐wide.

Information about wastewater collected and treated is presented in Table 5-16 and Table 5-17.

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Table 5-16. DWR 6-2R Wastewater Collected within Service Area in 2025 Wastewater Collection Recipient of Collected Wastewater Name of Wastewater
Collection Agency
Wastewater Volume
Metered or Estimated
Wastewater Volume Collected from UWMP
Service Area in 2025 (AFY)
Name of Wastewater Agency
Receiving Collected Wastewater
Wastewater Treatment Plant
Name
Wastewater Treatment Plant
Located within UWMP Area
WWTP Operation Contracted to
a Third Party
Coachella Sanitary District Metered 3,458 Coachella Sanitary District Avenue 54 Wastewater Treatment Plant
Yes No
Total 3,458
Table 5-17. DWR 6-3R Wastewater Treatment and Discharge within Service Area in 2025 -
Wastewater
Treatment Plant
Name
Discharge Location
Name or Identifier
Discharge Location
Description
Wastewater Discharge ID
Number
Method of
Disposal
Plant Treats
Wastewater Generated
Outside the Service
Area
Treatment
Level
2025 Volumes (AFY)
Wastewater
Treated
Discharged
Treated
Wastewater
Recycled
Within
Service Area
Recycled
Outside of
Service Area
Instream
Flow Permit
Requirement
Coachella WWTP Coachella Valley
Stormwater Channel
Stormwater channel CA0104493 – 001
7A330104012
River or creek
outfall
No Secondary 3,458 3,458 0 0 0
Total 3,458 3,458 0 0 0

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5.6.2.6 Desalinated Water Opportunities
CWA does not have direct access to ocean water or a significant quantity of brackish groundwater. CWA does not anticipate the future use of desalinated water within its service area, as the backbone facilities and infrastructure needed for desalination are not economically feasible.

5.6.2.7 Water Exchanges and Transfers
Water transfers involve the temporary or permanent sale or lease, or exchange of water rights or contractual water supplies between willing parties. Such transfers can occur through a variety of mechanisms, including source substitution, groundwater exchange programs, or participation in regional supplemental supply acquisitions.

While CWA does not independently hold or administer imported water transfer or exchange agreements, CWA has evaluated opportunities to exchange non-potable groundwater supplies for alternative surface water sources, including deliveries from the Coachella Canal. In portions of the East Valley, groundwater contains elevated levels of TDS and fluoride that limit its suitability for potable use but may be appropriate for irrigation or other non-potable applications. Under a source substitution or exchange framework, nonpotable groundwater could potentially offset irrigation demands, while higher-quality surface water supplies could be reserved or treated for potable use. CWA and CVWD have previously entered into agreements to coordinate long-term water supply planning and ensure sufficient and reliable water supplies to serve future development within CWA and its SOI. These agreements identify mechanisms by which new water demands may be mitigated, including source substitution, supplemental supply acquisition, or participation in regional programs to fund or secure additional long-term water supplies. CWA continues to coordinate with CVWD on water supply planning and long-term sustainability objectives.

5.6.2.8 Future Water Projects
CWA understands the need to develop additional sources of supply to meet demands associated with projected growth and continues to work with CVWD and other regional partners on potential projects to increase water supply. CWA will continue to evaluate the use of Canal water as a source substitution for drinking water supplies obtained from groundwater.

Per CVWD Ordinance No. 1428, CWA has the opportunity to receive Canal water for additional potable water supply when available. As the water becomes available, CWA may pursue those opportunities to supplement its water portfolio. As part of its planning process, CWA will continue to design water system improvements to enhance conservation, identify additional water supplies and potential source substitutions, and enhance local groundwater recharge.

5.6.2.9 Summary of Existing and Planned Sources of Water CWA currently receives 100 percent of its water supply from groundwater, and does not currently participate in water recycling, water desalination, water exchanges or transfers, or purchase of imported water supplies. CWA’s water supplies for 2025 are shown in Table 5-18 and CWA’s anticipated future supplies are shown in Table 5-19.

Table 5-18. DWR 6-8R Actual Water Supplies
-
Water Supply
Additional Detail
on Water Supply
2025
Actual Volume (AFY) Water Quality
Groundwater Indio Subbasin 7,782 Drinking Water
Total 7,782

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Table 5-19. DWR 6-9 R Projected Water Supplies (AFY)
Water Supply
Additional
Detail on Water
Supply
2030
Reasonably
Available
Volume
2035
Reasonably
Available
Volume
2040
Reasonably
Available
Volume
2045
Reasonably
Available
Volume
2050
Reasonably
Available
Volume
Groundwater Indio Subbasin 7,382 7,941 8,610 9,329 10,048 Total 7,382 7,941 8,610 9,329 10,048

5.6.2.10 Special Conditions
Although groundwater is a relatively resilient water supply with respect to climate change, potential effects of a hotter and drier climate could increase water demand within the Coachella Valley. The potential impacts of climate change on regional water supplies are discussed in Chapter 3 of the RUWMP.

5.6.3 Energy Use
CWA has compiled data to document the energy used for water management operations. CWA used the Total Utility Approach to estimate the energy intensity of its water management operations. The data are summarized in Table 5-20.

Table 5-20. DWR O-1B Energy Intensity Reporting
Enter Start Date for Reporting Period 1/1/25
End Date 12/31/25 Urban Water Supplier Operational Control Is upstream embedded in the values
reported?
No Sum of All Water
Management Processes
Non-Consequential
Hydropower
Water Volume Units Used AFY Total Utility Hydropower Net Utility Volume of Water Entering Process (volume unit) 7,216 0 7,216 Energy Consumed (kWh) 3,772,520 0 3,772,520
Energy Intensity (kWh/volume) 522.8 0.0 522.8
Quantity of Self-Generated Renewable Energy
0 kWh
Data Quality (Estimate, Metered Data, Combination of Estimates and Metered Data) Combination of Estimates and Metered Data
Data Quality Narrative
Energy use data was obtained from electricity consumption records maintained by the agency.

Narrative
The agency uses energy for groundwater production from wells, pumping at booster stations from lower pressure zones to higher pressure zones, and treatment processes.

5.7 Water Service Reliability and Drought Risk Assessment The UWMP Act requires urban water suppliers to assess water supply reliability that compares total projected water use with expected water supply over the next 25 years in five-year increments, including a single dry year and multiple dry years. Reliability is a measure of a water system’s expected success in managing water shortages. This chapter presents the reliability assessment for CWA’s service area.

5.7.1 Reliability Overview
CWA’s only direct source of urban potable water supply is local groundwater. Coachella Valley water suppliers are achieving success in sustainable groundwater management and as stewards of local water resources. The regional groundwater supply has historically been able to meet demands during both normal and dry periods. Though increased environmental regulations, competition for water supplies, and recurrent

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drought conditions have reduced the reliability of imported water, groundwater replenishment has reversed past overdraft conditions. Potential constraints on these supplies that could affect reliability are discussed in Chapter 3 of this RUWMP.

The “normal year” represents the average water supply conditions and availability to CWA. This RUWMP uses the long-term average supply metrics to represent normal year conditions.

The “single dry year” represents the lowest water supply available to CWA. Though CWA’s vast groundwater in storage is not constrained in dry years, this RUWMP uses 2021 for the single dry year due to its combination of low precipitation and peak demand. CWA’s water use data from the last 20 years was evaluated to understand demand response among its customer base. For CWA, the single dry year demand represents 110 percent of normal conditions.

The “multiple dry years” represents the lowest average water supply available to CWA for a consecutive multi-year period (five years or more). This is generally considered to be the lowest average surface runoff for a consecutive multiple year period for a watershed since 1903. This RUWMP uses 2020 through 2024 as the multiple dry year period. Although this period is not the driest consecutive five-year period on record, it represents a more accurate demand response to drought conditions due to conservation programs implemented in recent years by CWA. For CWA, the multiple dry year demand increases by two percent year-over-year from 103 to 111 percent of normal conditions.

Table 5-21 summarizes the water years used as the basis for urban water supply reliability assessment and the percent of average supply available for each base year.

Table 5-21. DWR 7-1R Basis of Water Year Data
- Available Supply if Year Type Repeats
Year Type Base Year Percent of Average Supply
Average Year 2015-2024 100%
Single-Dry Year 2021 110%
Consecutive Dry Years 1st Year 2020 103%
Consecutive Dry Years 2nd Year 2021 105%
Consecutive Dry Years 3rd Year 2022 107%
Consecutive Dry Years 4th Year 2023 109%
Consecutive Dry Years 5th Year 2024 111%

5.7.2 Water Service Reliability Assessment
The reliability of the groundwater supply is dependent on reliable sources to replenish water extracted from the groundwater basin. To ensure a safe and reliable supply, regional water suppliers collaborate to manage groundwater via the Indio Subbasin Alternative Plan and Mission Creek Subbasin Alternative Plan.

CVWD and DWA replenish the Indio Subbasin with Colorado River and SWP exchange water. Efforts in regional management of the groundwater basin have helped address long‐term overdraft. Therefore, water supply reliability is expected to be good and fully reliable.

The Indio Subbasin groundwater in storage will be used in dry years to support potential differences between demands and supply. The groundwater basin has a capacity of approximately 29.8 MAF. It is capable of meeting the water demands of CWA for extended periods during normal, single‐dry and multiple‐ dry year conditions. The following tables provide CWA’s projected water supplies and demand in a normal year, single dry year, and multiple dry years.

5.7.2.1 Normal Year
The projected supply and demand during a normal year are shown in Table 5-22. This analysis does not include WSCP use reduction in a normal year. The supply and demand comparison for the normal year results in no shortages.