Construction Begins on Water Treatment Facility

DESERT HOT SPRINGS (CNS) – Groundbreaking began today on a water
treatment facility designed to enhance conservation efforts.

The Desert Hot Springs City Council, Mission Springs Water District’s
Board, local business leaders, elected officials and members of the public
gathered Friday to celebrate the start of construction for the Regional Water
Reclamation Facility, which is expected to treat an additional 1.5 million
gallons of wastewater per day. Some homes currently using septic tanks will
soon be able to connect to MSWD’s treatment system.

Accompanying projects also under development include the Regional
Conveyance Line and the M-2 Septic to Sewer Projects.

According to General Manager Arden Wallum, it’s "one of the largest
endeavors the District has ever undertaken." He said the projects represent
about $70 million in improvements to MSWD’s system.

"These upgrades will also alleviate a portion of existing wastewater
flows currently going to the Allan L. Horton Wastewater Treatment Plant,
extending the facility’s operational life by 10 years," said Wallum.

"We’ve been talking about the need for the new Regional Plant for
several years now, but the timing is finally right," said MSWD Board President
Russ Martin. The costs of the new plant will be covered through state-funded
grants and low-interest loans, he said. .

The plant will be built next to 19th and 20th avenues in Desert Hot
Springs, where the Mission Springs Water District’s solar installation is
located.

Copyright 2022, City News Service, Inc.

CNS-06-10-2022 14:09