Living in the desert means water doesn’t just show up—it’s carefully managed, thoughtfully sourced, and efficiently delivered. In the Coachella Valley, our water supply comes from four primary sources:

  1. Groundwater
  2. Recycled water
  3. Imported water from the State Water Project
  4. Colorado River water delivered via the Coachella Canal, a branch of the All-American Canal

Together, these sources help ensure reliable water for homes, businesses, agriculture, and community spaces across the valley.

Local Sources of Water

Groundwater: Our Primary Drinking Water Source. Nearly all of the Coachella Valley’s drinking water comes from underground—from a vast groundwater basin, also known as an aquifer. You can think of this aquifer as a tilted bathtub filled with sand and gravel, with layers of clay in some areas. Water collects in the spaces between those materials beneath the surface.

Wells—ranging from a few hundred to more than a thousand feet deep—access the highest-quality water within the aquifer. Pumps lift this water to reservoirs (large storage tanks), and from there it travels through water agency distribution pipes to homes and businesses throughout the valley.

Recycled Water for Irrigation. While drinking water comes primarily from groundwater, recycled water plays an important role in reducing demand on that supply. Many golf courses, homeowner associations, schools, and large landscaped areas use recycled water for irrigation.

The Coachella Valley’s water agencies work closely with golf course superintendents, landscape professionals, and large property owners to maximize water efficiency. Using recycled water for irrigation is a key strategy in managing water wisely in our desert environment.

Your Local Water Agencies

Residents and businesses receive water service from one of six local water agencies:

These agencies collaborate regionally to manage supplies, maintain infrastructure, and plan for long-term water reliability.

Imported Sources of Water

Colorado River Water. Water for agriculture in the Coachella Valley primarily comes from the Colorado River, delivered through the 123-mile Coachella Canal. While most farms rely on this imported water, some also supplement their supply by pumping groundwater from private wells.

Several golf courses also use Colorado River water to help reduce their reliance on groundwater.

Replenishing the Aquifer. Imported water plays another critical role: recharging the groundwater basin. Colorado River water—and State Water Project water exchanged for Colorado River water—is used at four groundwater replenishment sites across the valley. This process supplements natural replenishment from rainfall and snowmelt, helping sustain the aquifer for future generations.

Understanding where our water comes from highlights why conservation, efficiency, and regional cooperation are so important. Every source—and every drop—matters in keeping the Coachella Valley thriving.

Source: https://www.cvwd.org/154/Where-does-my-water-come-from