The San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency (SGPWA) hosted a workshop on September 30, 2024, where they unveiled details of the Backbone Pipeline Project.
The project aims to enhance the distribution of imported water throughout the San Gorgonio Pass area, promising a sustainable water future for local communities.
The event attracted participation from various State Water Contractors, local stakeholders, partnering cities, retail water districts, and local Tribal representatives, all of whom actively shared their insights on the proposed plans. This engagement highlighted the collaborative effort necessary to advance the project.
The Backbone Pipeline Project, a vision over two decades in the making, is now closer than ever to becoming a reality, thanks to growing support from multiple agencies. The proposed pipeline would convey SGPWA’s State Water Project (SWP) water allocation from the existing East Branch Extension Pipeline in the City of Beaumont to multiple facilities throughout the San Gorgonio Pass region, ending at a groundwater recharge basin in Cabazon.
“This project represents a pivotal moment for the region,” said Board President Mickey Valdivia in a press release. “By improving the distribution of imported water to new recharge facilities, the Backbone Pipeline will secure a reliable water source for generations to come. Communities across the San Gorgonio Pass area stand to benefit from this enhanced water security.”
In October 2023, a feasibility study was conducted by Albert A. Webb & Associates to outline the requirements, permits, and funding necessary to undertake the project. This included recommendations for the Backbone Pipeline that would convey water from the State Water Project East Branch Extension pipeline to the communities in Banning and Cabazon to recharge groundwater basins and provide additional water for residents.
The total estimated cost for the project is up to $150 million, with SGPWA committed to securing funding through state and federal grants. The construction of the pipeline will unfold in five phases, involving the installation of 48 inch, 36-inch, 30-inch, and two 24-inch welded steel transmission pipelines. The finished project will result in 88,700 linear feet of pipeline stretching throughout the San Gorgonio Pass region.
The Board and stakeholders who participated in the workshop also discussed exploring additional partnerships and design alternatives that could result in significant cost savings for all parties involved in the project.
SGPWA will coordinate with the City of Beaumont, the City of Banning, the City of Riverside, Caltrans, Cabazon Water District, Beaumont-Cherry Valley Water District, Union Pacific Railroad, Riverside County Flood Control & Water Conservation District, and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians to ensure compliance with all State regulations and permits.
