Welcome to the Coachella Valley Water District

CVWD was formed in 1918 to protect and conserve local water sources. Since then, the district has grown into a multi-faceted agency that delivers irrigation and domestic (drinking) water, collects and recycles wastewater, provides regional storm water protection, replenishes the groundwater basin and promotes water conservation.

CVWD's service area covers approximately 1,000 square miles from the San Gorgonio Pass to the Salton Sea, mostly within the Coachella Valley in Riverside County, California. The boundaries also extend into small portions of Imperial and San Diego counties.

The Coachella Valley’s idyllic winters make it a popular destination for tens of thousands of seasonal visitors and part-time residents who travel here from throughout the United States and many other countries to enjoy championship-level golf, tennis, polo, swimming, hiking, spas, fine dining and upscale shopping. These vibrant industries are possible in the desert because the district has been a responsible manager of water resources since its formation in 1918.

CVWD was in the water management business long before conservation became a popular term or policy. The Coachella Valley, after all, is a desert where mild winters and delightful springs give way each year to brutal summers when temperatures can rise to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The district provides daily weather forecasts to customers. Since the annual rainfall averages three inches, Making every drop count since 1918, is not just a slogan, it is a way of life.

Governance

CVWD is a special district established by the state legislature and governed by a five-member Board of Directors elected to four-year terms by district voters. Each director represents a division of the district, but is elected at-large by all voters. The Board of Directors sets policy and represents the ratepayers.

The Board of Directors meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 9 a.m. at district offices. These board meetings are open to the public.

District policies are regulated by several state and federal agencies including the State Water Resources Control Board, California Department of Public Health and the California Environmental Protection Agency. Because the district is a government agency and not a private company, it is not regulated by the Public Utilities Commission.

Fields of Service

While a large part of the district’s history is in agricultural irrigation, today it meets the water-related needs of more than 107,000 customers across 1,000 square miles in the following areas of service:
Domestic Water
Groundwater Replenishment and Imported Water
Wastewater Treatment
Recycled Water
Storm Water Protection and Flood Control
Agricultural Irrigation and Drainage
Water Conservation