San Jacinto recharging ponds capture and store rainwater or storm runoff to recharge groundwater supplies. Valley News/Courtesy photo
PERRIS – For the past decade, the Hemet-San Jacinto Watermaster has been a critical administrator of a regional effort to create long-term groundwater sustainability throughout the San Jacinto Valley.The Watermaster is comprised of representatives from the four public agencies that rely on the San Jacinto Groundwater Basin – Eastern Municipal Water District, Lake Hemet Municipal Water District and the cities of Hemet and San Jacinto. Private groundwater producers are also represented on its board of directors.In April 2013, a stipulated judgment was entered with the Riverside County Superior Court, adopting the management plan and creating the Watermaster. Its role is to protect the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians water rights that were established by the Soboba Settlement Act.
