The Mojave Water Agency will host a public groundbreaking ceremony as they begin construction on the Mojave River Pipeline Traveling Screen Project.
The public is invited to attend the ceremony, which will feature remarks by agency leaders, recognition of project partners and a “shovel ceremony.”
The event is scheduled at 9:30 a.m. on July 31, at 11987 Duncan Road in Phelan. The site is north of the California Aqueduct and south of Highway 18.
The vital infrastructure upgrade is designed to restore and enhance the Mojave River Pipeline by installing a new traveling screen facility that will significantly reduce moss and debris entering the pipeline, the Apple Valley-based water agency stated.
The improvements will support more efficient delivery of imported water from the California Aqueduct to recharge sites along the Mojave River, ensuring long-term water reliability for the High Desert region.
The project also includes construction of a new two-acre groundwater recharge basin and pipeline enhancements to expand regional storage and recharge capacity during wet years, providing greater flexibility during drought conditions.
“This is a major step forward for our local water systems,” said Mojave Water Agency General Manager Adnan Anabtawi. “This project is about water resilience – preparing the infrastructure we rely on to serve our communities amidst greater variability in our water supplies.”
Funded in part by $3.8 million in grants from the California Department of Water Resources and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the project reflects a shared commitment to equitable, sustainable water infrastructure that supports underserved communities, the agency stated.
Board President Rick Roelle emphasized the project’s long-term benefits by saying, “This is the kind of smart, forward-looking investment that builds a secure water future for the entire Mojave region. We’re not just fixing problems, we’re preparing for tomorrow.”
For more information about the Traveling Screen Project or other water infrastructure, visit mojavewater.org.
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This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Mojave Water Agency to host groundbreaking ceremony for infrastructure project in Phelan
Reporting by Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
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