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Area of East Valley Water District | Surface
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Surface and Groundwater Sources of Water Supply
The East Valley Water District’s main source of
water for its customers is the Bunker Hill Groundwater Basin. This
source of water consists of a giant underground basin made up of soil,
sand and gravel saturated by water. Another high quality source of
water is the Santa Ana River, originating from snow-melt and springs
high up in the San Bernardino Mountains.
During dry years, when water supplies are short, East
Valley Water District has the option of obtaining supplemental water
from the State Water Project through the San Bernardino Valley Municipal
Water District. Water from the State Water Project is imported from
Northern California and is made available to San Bernardino Valley
water agencies. Local water however, acquired from the Santa Ana River
and the Bunker Hill Groundwater Basin, is the preferred source of
water for the community.
 During
wet years, when there is excess river water available, East Valley
Water District works with the San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation
District to transport surplus water to man-made spreading grounds.
Spreading grounds are areas with porous soil where surface water can
easily percolate into the groundwater basin and be stored for future
use.
The District manages water through a system of pipelines,
wells, reservoirs, pumping stations, and a treatment plant. The District’s
goal is to provide customers with excellent service at a reasonable
cost. The District produces and delivers approximately 748 gallons
of water (one billing unit) to its customers for just 88 cents or
8½ gallons for one penny.
California has some of the most stringent water quality
standards in the nation. East Valley Water District must monitor and
test for quality at all well sites, the treatment plant, in pipelines,
and even in some of our customers’ homes. All samples for testing
are sent to independent State certified laboratories. The standards
are so strict that the District must test for, and then remove, substances
in quantities as small as one part per billion. That is the equivalent
of finding and removing one drop of water in a typical swimming pool
full of water. To meet these standards, East Valley Water District
takes its surface water from high up in the Santa Ana River, ahead
of most industrial, agricultural and other kinds of potential contamination
sources. The District’s groundwater is also of high quality.
However, certain areas were contaminated in the past and are no longer
used as sources for water.
 New
regulations require that all surface water which has been exposed
to air, such as the Santa Ana River water, must be processed through
the District’s new state-of-the-art treatment plant. This plant
is highly automated, saving money by limiting the need for staff supervision.
Automated test equipment monitors the water quality at all times.
The treatment plant produces very high quality water which exceeds
all current and anticipated drinking water standards.
Another tool the District uses to maintain its distribution
system is to periodically flush out pipelines to ensure that they
remain clean and clear. Also, a small amount of chlorine is added
to the water to ensure that it remains disinfected on its way to your
home. Though the added chlorine may sometimes affect the taste, it
is necessary to protect public health. To get rid of this taste you
can set out a pitcher of water overnight so the chlorine can evaporate.
Then you can refrigerate it.
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