The Elsinore Valley exists today because of water. Located in a desert region, early settlers made do with scarce local water resources. Life was hard. Today, the Valley is thriving. It supports a $287 million local economy and an enviable quality of life - all supported by water. The Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District is proud of our role as stewards of this precious resource. From our formation in 1950, we have worked to harness local water resources and provide our customers with a safe, affordable water supply. As we celebrate over 50 years of service to this community, please join us in taking a historical look at some of the important milestones that have led us to where we are today.

1950's - 1960's - 1970's - 1980's - 1990's - 2000's
Click on a decade to view EVMWD's history.

1950's

1960's

1964	MWD's giant new valve was opened at the Lakeview aqueduct and more than 29,000 acre feet of water flowed down the San Jacinto River, through Canyon Lake to Lake Elsinore. Lake Elsinore recreation became a reality.
1968	Canyon Lake area was annexed adding an additional 1,800 acres to EVMWD. The formation of a $65,000 improvement district followed, funding water and wastewater facilities to the Canyon Lake area.

1980's

1984	EVMWD purchased the City of Lake Elsinore's aging sewer system. That same year, the District received state and federal loans and grants to fund a new regional sewer system under the Clean Water Act. The .75 MGD Railroad Canyon Wastewater Treatment Plant was completed and online serving the Canyon Lake Community.
1985	The board entered into an agreement with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for a $39.6 million loan for Lake Stabilization that later was known as the Lake Management Project. After a year long stall, the project finally moved forward in 1986. The Horsethief Canyon annexation added 960 acres to the District and the California Oaks annexation added another 785 acres.
1986	The city of Lake Elsinore water system was purchased. A petition with 4,000 signatures was submitted to the board requesting a citizen's vote on the Lake Management Project. The issue was sent to court, and in 1987 a judge ruled in favor of the District. Needing additional imported water, the District entered into an agreement with Eastern Municipal Water District for capacity in the Auld Valley 36 inch pipeline from Lake Skinner. That project brought an additional 27,000 acre feet annually to the water system.
1987	The Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant with a 2 MGD capacity was dedicated and in operation. Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority (SAWPA) was hired as Lake Management Project managers. A citizens Blue Ribbon Comittee was appointed to study the sewer rate program. The same year, the District joined forces with the City of Lake Elsinore, the County of Riverside, and the State of California became a stakeholder in the Lake Elsinore Management Authority (LEMA).
1988	Design work was started to expand the Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant to 4 MGD capacity. The District entered into an agreement with Rancho California Water District to provide sewer service to our southern division in Murrieta now known as California Oaks.
1989	EVMWD acquired the Temescal Water Company assets and assumed its operation following a friendly condemnation. Lawsuits against the acquisition that were filed by Lee Lake Water District and the Cities or Riverside and Corona were unsuccessful. The Temescal service area became the Temescal Division.

1990's

1990	A financial master plan was approved and adopted. Active water customers number 15,511. One board member known as "The Whistle Blower" resigned his directorship. The Cottonwood Hills annexation added 1,969 acres to the District.
1991	A mandatory water conservation ordinance was adopted as a result of the drought. The District was awarded for excellence in financial reporting for it's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR).
1992	The Temescal Canyon area was annexed, expanding District boundaries by 3,001 acres. The board authorized the filing of a Federal Regulatory Commission (FERC) application for a hydroelectric project at Lake Elsinore, which later became known as the Lake Elsinore Advanced Pumped Storage Project.
1993	The terms and conditions of a merger with Elsinore Water District were considered but were later withdrawn.
1994	Frustrated with the lack of progress despite community efforts for water quality in the lake, EVMWD adopted a policy that it would not be the lead agency in future efforts. A new Administrative Code was adopted which codified all current EVMWD rules, regulations, rates, and policies. The Old Town Waterline Replacement Project started in downtown Lake Elsinore.
1995	Negotiations to merge with the Murrieta County Water District were initiated and continued throughout the year. The District withdrew from the LEMA effective the end of 1995. Railroad Canyon Dam improvements began widening the spillway, installation of new anchors and improvements on the gravity walls. Improvements in the structure were designed to enable the dam to withstand a "1,000 year flood event."
1996	Agreement on terms could not be reached, so merger discussions with Murrieta CWD ceased. A study was initiated by the Farm Mutual Water Company investigating the possibility of EVMWD providing sewer service to Farm customers using the regional sewer system.
1997	Yielding to pressure from the public, the board of directors decided to stop work on the Pumped Storage Project. A board notion for an agreement with Hydro Company to take over the project was passed. Increasing public concern for lake stabilization water quality initiated the need for community involvement to address these issues. Taking the lead in this effort, the District began the formation and sponsorship of the Reclaimed Water Task Force. The Task Force prepared the Public Acceptance Issues and Recommendations White Paper to the EVMWD board and to the City of Lake Elsinore and each passed resolutions in support of the changes.
1998	Negotiations between the District and EWD ensued regarding EWD customer's non-payment of sewer service bills for service provided by EVMWD. No agreement could reached between the two agencies, so the EVMWD board adopted a resolution placing the delinquent charges on the property tax rolls. Temescal Valley and Wildomar Community Facilities Districts were formed to finance new water facilities in both areas and to pay for a proportionate share of the Temescal Valley Pipeline Project.
1999	Out of concerns that its wells would be compromised, EWD filed a lawsuit to stop EVMWD from drilling wells on Machado and Joy Streets. EVMWD moved forward with the drilling of the Machado Street Well.

2000	In January, the Reclaimed Water Task Force was reinstated and called Task Force 2000. In March, the Board approved participation in the Joint Powers Authority, being formed to plan for improvements to the San Jacinto and Lake Elsinore Watersheds to be funded by Proposition 13 funds (15M). A Joint Statement of Cooperation was approved by the Board and the City of Lake Elsinore. Documents and Board actions were finalized to secure the Issuance of COP Series 2000 and the Wildomar CFD Financing. Staff was also successful at relocating LEAF facilities to the District’s Mission Trail building so the expansion of the 4MG Treatment Plant could begin on schedule. A three-day celebration was held in September to commemorate the District’s 50th Anniversary. PERS 2% @ 55 and Military Service Credit was also set in place. September 14th, a letter agreement was approved with Enron and a FERC Application was filed in connection with the Lake Elsinore Advanced Pump Project (LEAP).
2001	In January, the Notice of Completion for the Wildomar CFD 98-2 Water Improvements was filed. A Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Water Resources to Promote Conjunctive Use Projects and Programs in Elsinore Valley Basins was approved and the Board approved an Agreement for Participation in Southern California Edison's kW Reduction Rate Program. The Robards Way Lift Station and Force Main and Horsethief Booster Station Projects were completed. This year, implementation of a salary survey and recommendations took place, and following that, representation by the MTA and EA changed for several employees. The Lake Elsinore Advanced Pump Storage Project (LEAPS) documents were filed with FERC for approval, and later, substantial community involvement evolved regarding a project tied to the LEAPS Project called the Telega-Escondido/Valley-Serrano Interconnect Project (power lines). In coordination with the County, the LEAPS Oversight Committee was formed to educate and receive feedback from the public. The City of Lake Elsinore established suit over the Tilley and Fill and Operate Agreements due to the water level decreasing below the 1240’ established level. An Emergency NPDES Permit application was filed to allow recycled water as a lake supplement.
2002	General Manager Ronald E. Young joined the District on January 14, replacing John V. Rossi. Also this year, for the first time in history, reclaimed water was put into Lake Elsinore for water level replenishment. The District also aggressively sought funding from Proposition 13, and entered into a contract with LESJWA for Island Well Improvements Grant funding. The 4MG-8MG Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion was completed and the Tomlin Tanks 1 and 2 were replaced. In January, the Board adopted a resolution in support of a joint environmental process to include the Valley-Rainbow 500-kV Interconnect Project and the Talega-Escondido/Valley-Serrano Interconnect Project. Submittals were given to the FERC for approval of the Hydro Electric Project. Due to drought conditions and other water quality issues, the Temescal Water Division cost 67% capacity of its potable well water production necessitating the establishment of a block rate structure for the Temescal Water Division. This was done to encourage conservation and to cover costs of imported water needed to meet the Division’s demands. The Windsor Homes CFD 2002-1 was formed, consisting of the development of 96 homes on 31.95 acres located east of the I-15 on Clinton Keith Road in Wildomar. Formation of the CFD will provide financing for the construction and acquisition of public facilities in addition to the payment of EVMWD’s water and sewer capacity and connection fees, and Lake Elsinore Unified School District fees.
2003	Agreement for the Operation and Maintenance of the Axial Flow Water Pump Destratification System for Lake Elsinore Approval of Defense Coordination Agreement with the City of Lake Elsinore In August, the EVMWD Board (and Meeks and Daley Water Company Board) Approved Agreements and for the formation and operations of Water Employee Services Authority (WESA), a Joint Powers Authority (JPA). This year, rehabilitation work was completed at the Canyon Lake Water Treatment Plant which included replacement of the clarifier and other work to comply with California regulations.
2004	On March 5, 2004 an event was held to commemorate the rehabilitation of the Island Wells, a project undertaken by LESJWA, the City and EVMWD to pump water into Lake Elsinore. Upgrade of the water system above Lakeland Village. The MCC Improvement Project was completed. Reservoir remediation and corrosion repair took place for 30 steel reservoirs, including cathodic protection systems, coatings, and piping improvements to increase water circulation within the tanks. Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system replacement. Well funding agreements were negotiated with the City for Lincoln and Terra Cotta Wells. A Memorandum Of Understanding was completed, which stated that the City will maintain a park in which the District will retain an easement for use. (check all to confirm) In September, AB 2439, Special Legislation was passed which granted an exemption for recreation in water bodies maintained for domestic use. Railroad Canyon Reservoir has allowed recreational use since 1957; however, it was determined that due to EVMWD’s strict water treatment standards and guidelines it is safe for the lake to continue recreational use as well as for drinking water supplies.