About IRWMP
Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Planning is a process by which multiple agencies within a region work collaboratively to better the region’s water quality and supply in an inclusive way. The Coachella Valley Regional Water Management Group includes the valley’s five water purveyors, who have come together to improve water resource planning and management for the entire region.
IRWMP Fact Sheet PDF
Prop 84
PROPOSITION 84, the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Costal Protection Act was passed by California voters in November 2006. Administered by State of California Department of Water Resources, known as DWR, Proposition 84 includes funding for the IRWM Grant Program. This bond act provides $5.4 billion for various water related purposes and $1 billion for Integrated Regional Water Management Planning efforts. This IRWMP funding is allocated by region with $36 million for the Colorado River Region and $100m in unallocated funding.
What types of projects are contemplated?
The intent of Proposition 84 is to encourage integrated regional strategies for management of water resources. Proposition 84 will fund projects that use multiple strategies resulting in multiple benefits. Such projects would include one or more of the following elements:
| IRWM Plan Objective | Possible Project Elements |
|---|---|
| Reduce Water Demand |
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| Improve Operational Efficiency & Transfers |
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| Increase Water Supply |
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| Improve Water Quality |
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| Practice Resource Stewardship |
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About CVRWMG
The Coachella Valley IRWM program is led by the Coachella Valley Regional Water Management Group (CVRWMG), whose purpose is to coordinate water resource management efforts and to enable the Coachella Valley region to apply for grants tied to DWR’s IRWM program. The CVRWMG is a partnership composed of the five Coachella Valley water purveyors:
- Coachella Water Authority (CWA)
- Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD)
- Desert Water Agency (DWA)
- Indio Water Authority (IWA)
- Mission Springs Water District (MSWD)
The IRWM Plan under development will provide a mechanism for:
- Coordinating, refining, and integrating existing water resources planning efforts within a comprehensive, regional context;
- Identifying specific regional and watershed-based priorities for implementation projects; and
- Generating funding support for the plans, programs, projects, and priorities of existing agencies and stakeholders.
Each of the five water purveyors indicated its individual intent to adopt the IRWMP by virtue of its signature on the September 2008 MOU. Each member has statutory authority over water as described below.
- The Coachella Water Authority is a joint powers authority formed as a component of the City of Coachella and Redevelopment Agency of the City of Coachella and has statutory authority over water supply.
- The Coachella Valley Water District is a public agency of the State of California organized and operating under County Water District Law, California Water Code Section 30000, et seq,. The Coachella District Merger Law, Water Code Section 33100, et seq. Coachella Valley Water District is a State Water Project Contractor and Colorado River Contractor empowered to import water supplies to its service area, and has statutory authority over water supply.
- The Desert Water Agency is an independent special district created by a special act of state legislature contained in chapter 100 of the appendix of the California Water Code. Desert Water Agency is also a State Water Project Contractor empowered to import water supplies to its service area, replenish local groundwater supplies, and collect assessments necessary to support a groundwater replenishment program as provided for in the Desert Water Agency Law and has statutory authority over water supply.
- The Indio Water Authority is a joint power authority formed as a component of the City of Indio and Redevelopment Agency of the City of Indio and has statutory authority over water supply.
- Mission Springs Water District is a County Water District formed under Section 30000 et seq of the California Water Code and has statutory authority over water supply.
