We all agree on the importance of a clean, abundant drinking water supply for the Coachella Valley. That's why the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians is diligently working to protect and preserve one of Coachella Valley's most precious natural resources ~ water.
Water in the Coachella Valley aquifer is managed by local water districts. For years, the rate of the water drawn from the aquifer has depleted natural levels, which is known as over-drafting of the aquifer.
In addition, the rate of use has meant that the natural replenishment cycle has not been able to return enough water to match historic water levels. In turn, water districts began buying polluted water from the Colorado River to replenish the water levels in the aquifer. And, instead of pre-treating this water, the water districts put the water, as is, into the Aquifer, which has significantly lowered the quality of water.
These practices are not acceptable for long-term health and viability of the Coachella Valley water supply. The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, long-time stewards of our Valley's natural resources, called out this detrimental practice and brought it to the attention of the water districts over and over for years simply to be ignored.
Nov. 5, 2014 water board letter