[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 51 (Tuesday, April 20, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E566]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO WESTERN MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 20, 2004

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to an 
organization whose dedication and contributions to the community of 
Riverside County, California are exceptional. Riverside has been 
fortunate to have dynamic and dedicated community organizations who 
willingly and make their communities a better place to live and work. 
Western Municipal Water District is one of these organizations. On 
Thursday, May 13, 2004, Western Municipal Water District will celebrate 
50 years of service.
  Western Municipal Water District, since its formation on January 19, 
1954 and authorization by public vote on January 26, 1954 has fulfilled 
its founding raison d'etre, to augment the shortage of local water 
available to local communities with supplemental water imported 242 
miles to western Riverside County via Metropolitan Water District's 
Colorado River Aqueduct.
  The Western Municipal Water District, recognizing the need for a 
long-term source of high quality drinking water to sustain domestic 
needs of a burgeoning population, began importing a second source of 
high quality water in 1979 from northern California via the State Water 
Project's 444 mile-long California Aqueduct.
  The Western Municipal Water District provides vital wastewater 
services as administrative operator of the West Riverside County 
Wastewater Authority since 1998, as operator of the Santa Ana Regional 
Interceptor (SARI) brine line since 1983, and as owner-operator of the 
March Air Reserve Base treatment facility providing irrigation water to 
the nation's second largest veteran's cemetery since 1996.
  The Western Municipal Water District, as a court-appointed 
watermaster pursuant to the 1969 Stipulated Judgment, has been 
instrumental in maintaining peace among all parties to water rights and 
water quality issues in the Santa Ana Watershed.
  The Western Municipal Water District, as one of the five water 
agencies comprising Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority (SAWPA), has 
provided exemplary water resource management through implementation of 
the Santa Ana Watershed Basin Plan in cooperation and integrated 
planning with its neighbors in the Santa Ana Watershed.
  Western Municipal Water District, has worked cooperatively and 
diplomatically to address complex political and regulatory issues 
impacting water at local, regional, state and national levels, and has 
invested prudently in efficient drought-proofing ventures such as the 
Nonpotable Conveyance System, Arlington Desalter and Riverside-Corona 
Feeder. I would like to express deep appreciation to Western Municipal 
Water District for profound contributions to the present and future 
health and prosperity of all communities in Western's 510 square mile 
service.

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