From left are Citrus Heights Water District General Manager Hilary Straus, Regional Water Authority Executive Director Jim Peifer, Regional Water Authority Board Chair Brett Ewart, Citrus Heights Water District Board President Ray Riehle, Congressman Ami Bera, Citrus Heights Water District Board Vice-President Caryl Sheehan and Sacramento County Supervisor Rosario Rodriguez. Photo courtesy of the Citrus Heights Water District

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Citrus Heights Water District (CHWD) recently began constructing two new groundwater wells to improve water reliability for the community and reduce reliance on Folsom Lake during dry years.

The project is supported by more than $6.6 million in external funding, including more than $2 million in Community Project Funding championed by Congressman Ami Bera, as well as grant funding through the Regional Water Authority and the State of California.

“These new wells are more than an infrastructure upgrade; they’re a smart investment in public health and economic security,” said Congressman Ami Bera, M.D. “I was proud to help secure federal funding for this project and I’ll continue working to support CHWD’s efforts to deliver reliable and sustainable water supply for families and businesses in Citrus Heights.”

The wells will include aquifer storage and recovery technology, a forward-thinking approach that allows Citrus Heights Water District to inject water underground during wet years and pump it out when needed. This flexibility not only supports Citrus Heights Water District customers; it contributes to the health of the region’s shared water supply and increases resilience across the Sacramento region.

“This is a regional win,” said Brett Ewart, Board Chair of the Regional Water Authority. “By investing in aquifer storage and recovery, we’re moving closer to a true regional water bank that helps balance supplies, manage costs, and strengthen our response to dry periods.”

Construction of Wells number 7 and number 8 are underway. Both are part of Citrus Heights Water District’s broader Groundwater Expansion and Reinvestment Program.

“These wells are part of CHWD’s commitment to safe, reliable, and affordable water service,” said Ray Riehle, president of the Citrus Heights Water District Board of Directors. “We should all be proud of this investment for our community and future generations. We’re committed to planning ahead, applying for grants, and making smart investmentsso our customers always receive high-quality water. These wells represent our mission in action.”

The Citrus Heights Water District provides safe, high-quality water to more than 70,000 customers in parts of Citrus Heights, Fair Oaks, Orangevale, Carmichael and Roseville. The water district was established in 1920. Learn more at the Citrus Heights Water District’s website at chwd.org.