Hi-Desert Water District navigates reduced SRF grant caps for Phase 2B sewer buildout

Hi-Desert Water District navigates reduced SRF grant caps for Phase 2B sewer buildoutThe California utility is pursuing a maximum $30 million State Revolving Fund grant for its ongoing sewer expansion, while utilizing a newly secured $400,000 Bureau of Reclamation grant to plan its Groundwater Replenishment and Reuse Project.

The district is submitting an SRF grant application for the remainder of its Phase 2 sewer collection system, now capped at $30 million due to limited state funds.

A $400,000 federal grant will fund planning and alignment studies for a new extraction well and pipeline for the district's water reuse initiative.

Crews have installed approximately 24,000 feet of pipe under the Capital Replacement Program, targeting the district's highest leak areas despite rocky terrain.

The Board approved $104,077 in assessment adjustments for properties connecting to the Phase 1 sewer system due to new developments and accessory dwelling units.

The Hi-Desert Water District in Yucca Valley, California, is adjusting its funding expectations for the next phase of its centralized sewer system following a reduction in state grant limits. During an August 5 project update, General Manager Tony Culver announced that the State Revolving Fund (SRF) grant cap for the current funding cycle has been lowered to $30 million. The district had initially targeted $50 million for "Phase 2B," which encompasses the remainder of the Phase 2 sewer collection system project. The district plans to apply for the full $30 million available and will work with its lobbying firm, Axiom Advisors, to advocate for additional state funding mechanisms following the passage of Proposition 4. Meanwhile, the district's Groundwater Replenishment and Reuse Project (GRRP) is moving forward following the receipt of a $400,000 grant from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. The funds will be deployed this year to plan an extraction well and design the pipeline alignment that will transport water from the wastewater treatment plant to the Mojave pipeline turnout. Progress also continues on the district's Capital Replacement Program (CRP). Crews have recently installed approximately 24,000 feet of water main in rocky terrain. Culver noted that the current work targets the district's highest leak area, with the goal of securing the zone before moving to the next phase of pipeline replacement. In a separate financial action, the Board of Directors unanimously approved Resolution 26-15, which recalculates sewer system levies for properties within Assessment District 2014-1. District Services Administrator Ryan Hutchins noted the adjustments will generate an additional $104,077.63. The recalculation accounts for properties that have changed classifications—such as transitioning from vacant land to developed single-family homes or adding accessory dwelling units (ADUs)—ensuring equitable distribution of the Phase 1 sewer construction costs among ratepayers.