Recycled water, that once flowed through an open channel used by Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD), is now being transported through a repurposed pipeline, improving flows into Lake Elsinore. Collectively, EVMWD, Riverside County Flood and Water Conservation District (RCFCWCD) and the City of Lake Elsinore have transformed an abandoned agricultural pipeline that will move water from EVMWD’s Regional Water Reclamation Facility into Lake Elsinore. Previously, an open channel, which runs from Chaney Street to the lake outlet near Limited Street, was originally created to carry floodwaters out of Lake Elsinore. The new Regional Agricultural Pipeline Conversion diverts water from the open channel and connects it to an existing agricultural water pipeline.
“The Regional Agricultural Pipeline Conversion eliminates vegetation growth, reduces maintenance costs, decreases evaporation and evapotranspiration, and improves water flows into Lake Elsinore,” shared Andy Morris, president of the board for EVMWD. “In partnership with RCFCWCD and the City of Lake Elsinore we have been able to cost-share the expenses for this project. It is a mutually beneficial project that benefits our region and our watershed.”
Each year, Lake Elsinore loses approximately 4 ½ feet of water due to evaporation. Since 2003, EVMWD has supplemented highly-treated and regulated recycled water into the lake to offset evaporation. Historically, Lake Elsinore has suffered with challenges relating to water quality. As the largest natural lake in Southern California, Lake Elsinore is vulnerable to hot temperatures, limited rainfall and an excess of nutrients due to its location at the end of the watershed. The supplemental recycled water provides an additional source of water for the lake. RCFCWCD will continue to maintain jurisdiction over the channel.
EVMWD provides service to over 155,000 water and wastewater customers in a 97-square mile service area in Western Riverside County. The District is a sub-agency of the Western Municipal Water District and a member agency of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Visit the District’s Web site at www.evmwd.com for additional information.