The Santa Ana River Watershed is an interconnected system of surface water, groundwater, and rich habitat which spans more than 850 square miles. Over 5 million people and hundreds of unique species of plants and animals reside throughout the Watershed.  

Much of the population in both San Bernardino County and Riverside County depend on the Watershed for their local water supply, so it is important for it to remain healthy, clean, and protected. 

The projects outlined in Watershed Connect pose significant benefits to the watershed and the region, including: 

• Improved water quality 
  • Advanced treatment upgrades to the regional water supply will reduce salt, nutrients, and contaminant present in surface and groundwater. 
  • Proposed stormwater capture and treatment upgrades will produce high-quality water for blending with the groundwater supply. 

• Ecological health 
  • Proposed habitat mitigation and restoration initiatives will enhance the ecological health of the SAR Watershed, supporting the region’s urban and environmental needs. 

• Resiliency in the face of climate change 
  • Restoration projects will improve water supply security through investments in alternative water supplies, emergency water storage, and system redundancies. 

• Infrastructure enhancements 
  • Upgrading existing infrastructure and combining it with new systems will enhance water resources and reduce climate-related vulnerabilities. 

• Drought resiliency 
  • Investments in projects on stormwater capture, groundwater recharge, and water reuse aimed at positioning the region to sustain itself during short ad long periods of water scarcity. 

There are currently 21 projects under the Watershed Connect plan, and completed projects include the Enhanced Recharge Phase 1A project, the Regional Recycled Water System, and the Cactus Basin Connector Pipeline.