On June 20, Desert Water Agency’s Board of Directors, made up of local community representatives, voted unanimously to approve the agency’s fiscal year 2017-2018 budget. The Board also allowed the planned rate increase to move forward and implemented late fees to cover the resources spent on delinquent accounts.

A federal district court ruled yesterday in favor of Riverside County and Desert Water Agency in a lawsuit filed by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. The ruling will protect local residents from cost shifts and preserve local government’s ability to provide vital public services. The lawsuit aimed to prohibit the county from collecting taxes from individuals and businesses that lease reservation property.

Starting on June 19, Desert Water Agency will be installing new pipelines in select areas across the city. Many of the pipelines being replaced date back to the mid-1900s and have had a significant leak problem.