Wine Country and EMWD Partnership Expands

 Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) broke ground today on two new sewer projects in the Temecula Wine Country region, highlighting the vital role of partnerships in enhancing local infrastructure and supporting community growth.

The Northern Wine Country Phase II Sewer Project (Northern alignment) and the Southern Wine Country Sewer Project (Southern alignment) are funded in part by the American Rescue Plan Act, courtesy of the County of Riverside Third District. EMWD received $7.5 million for the Northern alignment and $4.1 million for the Southern alignment. 

The Southern alignment also received $2 million in United States Environmental Protection Agency State and Tribal Assistance Grants funding, allocated through earmark funding by Rep. Darrell Issa (CA-48th).

“These projects are the direct result of the trust built through longstanding relationships between EMWD and our elected officials, who recognize the value of investing in our region’s infrastructure,” EMWD Board President Stephen Corona said. “By working with our local representatives and funding agencies, EMWD successfully returns our customers’ tax dollars to our service area to help advance cost-effective infrastructure projects.”

The Northern alignment will construct approximately 14,000 linear feet of sewer on Rancho California Road, Glen Oaks Road, and East Benton Road. In 2015, EMWD completed the first phase of sewer in Wine Country on Rancho California and Monte de Oro Roads. 

The Southern alignment will consist of approximately 23,000 linear feet of sewer on De Portola Road, between Butterfield Stage Road and Oak Mountain Road.

As the Wine Country region has become more popular, many wineries have outgrown their existing septic systems, which can leach into groundwater and degrade water quality. The new sewer systems will protect groundwater quality and accommodate the growth anticipated in the Riverside County Wine Country Community Plan.

EMWD strongly encourages motorists to use extra caution while driving in the construction areas. Some areas will have traffic flaggers reducing traffic to one direction at a time. Work on the project within the County of Riverside area will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and work within the City of Temecula will be from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Most work is expected to be done during weekdays. Both projects will be completed in late 2026.

“We appreciate the patience of the community as we work to safely complete these projects, which will have long-term environmental and economic benefits to the region,” Corona said.

Eastern Municipal Water District is the water, wastewater service and recycled water provider to nearly one million people living and working within a 682-square mile service area in western Riverside County and northern San Diego County. It is California’s sixth-largest retail water agency, and its mission is “To deliver value to our diverse customers and the communities we serve by providing safe, reliable, economical and environmentally sustainable water, wastewater and recycled water services.” More information can be found at www.emwd.org.