The East County Advanced Water Purification Program has been invited by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to apply for $342 million in Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loans. The program is one of only 38 projects selected across 18 states to apply for loans totaling approximately $6 billion to help finance over $12 billion in water infrastructure investments and create almost 200,000 jobs.

Learn more about this exciting recognition from the EPA here.

Appointed representatives from Padre Dam Municipal Water District, the City of El Cajon and County of San Diego held their first meeting in early November to form the East County Advanced Water Purification Joint Powers Authority (JPA). The JPA will serve as the governing body for the East County Advanced Water Purification Program. The creation of the JPA marks a historic milestone in moving the program forward.

"The momentum for the East County Advanced Water Purification Program continues to build with the formation meeting and recent recognition from the EPA," said Allen Carlisle, CEO/General Manager of Padre Dam Municipal Water District. "The East County Advanced Water Purification JPA is committed to creating a new, reliable source of drinking water for our residents and businesses, and we're on track to realize our goal by 2025."

Read more about this important milestone here.

The East County Advanced Water Purification JPA invites qualified design-builders to submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) to design,  build and perform transitional operations and maintenance for a new 16 million gallons per day Water Recycling Facility and a new 11.5 million gallons per day Advanced Water Purification Facility. Design and construction costs for package 1 are estimated at $260 million. Click here to learn more about package 1 and other upcoming requests for qualifications.

Alex Ward, Executive Director for the Alpine Chamber of Commerce summed up his tour experience by saying,  "Thank you for demystifying this new technique to bring and sustain water in East County. Through local control we will have the high quality water supply we've come to expect. Further, through your research and innovation we are bringing valuable jobs to our region and making East County a leader in responsible and sustainable water management." 

To schedule a tour,   click   here .

Scouts visited education stations where they touched membranes and filters, cleaned water by squeezing dirty water through filters, planted succulents, played games and more!