Joshua Basin Water District (JBWD) covers 96 square miles. The district has 4500 active meters for about 8500 residents.
Joshua Tree’s sole source of water comes from an underground aquifer that dates back to the Ice Age.
While Joshua Tree residents are among the lowest water users in the state, every day JBWD pumps out over 1 ½ million gallons to serve its customers.
Joshua Basin’s water table is dropping about a foot a year. What rain water we do get is claimed by plants and evaporation.
The only water going back into the aquifer is septage from septic tanks. Septage increases nitrates.
USGS said recently that the rising level of nitrates in our water is a concern. If we do not take action, in the future Joshua Tree’s water may need expensive treatment to meet drinking water standards.
By recharging our aquifer now, we will not only offset nitrates, but also ensure the long-term reliability of our water supply.
Joshua Tree voters have approved recharge twice. In 1990 they voted in favor of the bond measure to build the Morongo pipeline.
We have invested over $10 million in that pipeline so far and have yet to receive any water.
Most of the cost of extending the pipeline into Joshua Tree will come from grant money. The remainder is money that JBWD has invested as part of the required match funding.
