Federal Funds Stimulate Mecca Drinking Water Project
More than 60 families in Mecca soon will have access to high quality drinking water, following
Coachella Valley Water District's (CVWD's) receipt of a state-federal grant that will fund
construction of the facilities necessary to connect a 20-acre mobile home park to the district's
domestic water system.
Water from two private wells currently serving the La Peña Housing Facility does not meet
state drinking water health standards for arsenic levels. The California Department of Public
Health asked that CVWD connect La Peña to district facilities.
Local funds for such a project were not available, so CVWD applied for a grant from the
California Department of Water Resources under the Safe Drinking Water State Revolving Funds
Account and federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
The grant, for slightly less than $940,000, will fund 3,700 feet of 12-inch ductile iron
pipe, meters and other necessary equipment, planning, design and inspections and approvals.
A $170,000 construction contract was awarded to a Coachella firm on Nov. 10 by the CVWD Board
of Directors. Design and other engineering services, surveying and inspections will be provided by
the district. Work is expected to begin before the end of November and be completed within a few
weeks.
The Coachella Valley Water District is a public agency governed by a five-member board of directors. The district provides domestic and irrigation water, agricultural drainage, wastewater treatment and reclamation services, regional storm water protection, groundwater management and water conservation. It serves more than 107,000 residential and business customers across 1,000 square miles, primarily in Riverside County, but also in portions of Imperial and San Diego counties.