East Valley Water District To Break Ground on Sterling Natural Resource Center
Highland, Calif., – On Oct. 20, East Valley Water District (EVWD) will break ground on the Sterling Natural Resource Center (SNRC), a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facility in Highland, Calif. Located on the corner of N. Del Rosa and 6th Street, the SNRC will create a sustainable water supply for 700,000 area residents by initially treating up to eight million gallons of water per day, with the ability to expand to 10 million gallons daily, for recharging the natural groundwater aquifer. The facility also will serve as a multi-faceted public asset for education, entertainment and leisure.
“To see this project come to fruition is an important milestone in East Valley Water District history, and we’re excited for what the SNRC will bring to our region,” said East Valley Water District Chairman Chris Carrillo. “Beyond generating temporary construction jobs, the project also will boost our local economy by kickstarting employment opportunities in and throughout the community when the facility opens in 2021.”
The groundbreaking will mark the culmination of a series of recent project milestones, including East Valley Water District securing $126 million in funding from the California State Water Resources Control Board and obtaining approval from the San Bernardino County Local Agency Formation Commission for the activation of its wastewater treatment authority.
The design-build team responsible for the design and construction of the project is comprised of the world-class expertise of Balfour Beatty (project management), Arcadis U.S., Inc. (design manager/engineer-of-record); Ruhnau Clarke Architects (architect); Trussell Technologies (regulatory/permitting); WSP (off-site pipelines/recharge); and Inframark (operations). Permitting and construction of the SNRC is expected to be completed in less than three years.
To celebrate the start of construction, East Valley Water District will host a groundbreaking ceremony on Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the SNRC site just south of Indian Springs High School. The celebration will feature family-friendly activities such as a photo booth, arts and
crafts, games, music, souvenirs and complimentary refreshments. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the project and its many benefits – from water treatment and quality, water storage, community enhancements and environmental contributions. The community can register to attend the no-cost event by visiting eastvalley.org/snrc.
“Once completed, the SNRC will be the crown jewel of Highland,” said EVWD General Manager/CEO John Mura. “Much more than a wastewater treatment facility, it will provide a community center with demonstration gardens, walking paths, water features and a picnic pavilion for local residents to enjoy.”
About East Valley Water District and Sterling Natural Resource Center
Capable of treating up to 8 million gallons a day, with the ability to expand to 10 million gallons a day, the SNRC recharges the local Bunker Hill Groundwater Basin and creates new opportunities for the surrounding community in the form of education and training, community space, neighborhood improvements, and new habitat for the Santa Ana Sucker fish. Located on North Del Rosa Drive between East Fifth and East Sixth Streets, SNRC is a project of East Valley Water District. East Valley Water District was formed in 1954 and provides water and wastewater collection services to more than 100,000 residents within the City of Highland and portions of both the City and County of San Bernardino. EVWD operates under the direction of a five-member elected Board. More information is available at www.eastvalley.org.
