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U.S. EPA awards $192,400 to Lake Arrowhead Community Services District

Release Date: 8/18/2005
Contact Information: Margot Perez-Sullivan ([email protected]) - 415/947-4149 (desk)

Money to help fund recycled water program

SAN FRANCISCO - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the Lake Arrowhead Community Services District $192,400 to help fund the design of the Grass Valley Waste Water Treatment Plant's recycled water program.

The Lake Arrowhead Community Services District will develop a recycled water program through upgrades to the Grass Valley plant, slated to be complete in 2008. The treated waste water will be reused in irrigation and industrial operations, reducing the demand for high quality, potable water. The district will also develop a means to discharge excess flows to Grass Valley Creek during wet weather events.

"This project expands water recycling for Lake Arrowhead, to protect and conserve the lake's drinking water," said Alexis Strauss, director of the Water Division for the EPA's Pacific Southwest office.

"Over the past decade, we have watched the waters of Lake Arrowhead recede ominously, and although the lake is once again full, it is very clear that we must do everything possible to find other sources of water in our mountains," said Congressman Jerry Lewis (R-CA), who represents the area. "I am delighted that the EPA is working closely with our local governments to tap into this valuable resource of reusable water."

The district is also participating in the purchase of State Water Project water from San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District as a replacement water supply instead of withdrawing water from the lake. Ultimately, the project will reduce and eventually eliminate the community's dependence on Lake Arrowhead as its sole source of water.

Currently, the Lake Arrowhead Community Services District depends on the lake for all of its water supply. The aesthetic and recreational value of the lake and the need to comply with California's water recycling and reuse regulations are compelling the district to seek new water sources.

For more information on water reuse, go to https://www.epa.gov/region9/water/recycling