Agua Caliente Tribe Reaches Groundwater Settlement with Local Water Agencies

The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians has reached a historic settlement with the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) and the Desert Water Agency (DWA), affirming the tribe’s sovereign authority over groundwater beneath its reservation lands.

The agreement resolves two longstanding lawsuits and sets the stage for collaborative management of the region’s groundwater. Tribal officials say the goal is to ensure long-term water sustainability for the entire Coachella Valley while utilizing the existing water infrastructure already in place.

As part of the agreement, the parties plan to pursue up to $500 million in federal funding aimed at improving infrastructure and supporting sustainable water usage in the valley.

Water service for DWA customers will remain unchanged, according to local officials.

The settlement marks a significant step toward regional cooperation in addressing one of the valley’s most pressing environmental and economic challenges—long-term water security.

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