San Bernardino Water and Power Authority logoSAN BERNARDINO
WATER AND POWERREGIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE. SHARED PURPOSE.

San Bernardino Water and Power

Shared resources.
Stronger communities.
A resilient future.

Bringing regional partners together to advance the water and power infrastructure our communities depend on.

Explore the Northern Pipeline ↗Meet the Authority
Regional water infrastructure map showing the Mojave Groundwater Bank and Northern Pipeline in Southern California
Connected by a shared purpose.Regional water infrastructure across the Mojave and Southern California.
162Miles of existing pipeline
planned for water conveyance
4New pump stations
in the project scope
1Regional partnership
for a more resilient future

01 / The Authority

Regional challenges.
A collaborative approach.

San Bernardino Water and Power brings together public agencies and a mutual water company to support regional water and power infrastructure.

The San Bernardino Water and Power Financing Authority is a joint powers authority founded by San Bernardino County and Fenner Gap Mutual Water Company. Inland Empire Utilities Agency and Victor Valley Wastewater Authority are also members.

Its collaborative structure connects regional priorities with infrastructure development. The Northern Pipeline project is the focus of this introduction.

San Bernardino CountyFounding member
Fenner Gap Mutual
Water CompanyFounding member
Inland Empire
Utilities AgencyMember agency
Victor Valley
Wastewater AuthorityMember agency

02 / Featured infrastructure

A new purpose for an
existing pipeline.

The Mojave Groundwater Bank’s Northern Pipeline project connects an underground water resource with regional water delivery systems.

Northern Pipeline route across the Mojave, showing the Fenner Valley watershed, pump stations, and pipeline replacement sections
Northern Pipeline project alignment • Map from the September 2026 presentation

From the Mojave to regional water systems.

The project is designed to connect the Mojave Groundwater Bank to State Water Project facilities in San Bernardino and Kern Counties by converting an existing 30-inch steel pipeline to water conveyance.

01

Adapt existing infrastructure

Pressure testing and replacement of approximately 26 miles of pipeline support the conversion to water service.

02

Build the connections

Four new pump stations and turnouts are planned to connect the pipeline with participating providers’ distribution systems.

03

Support reliable operations

Standard pump, pipeline, and wellfield technology forms the basis of the project’s operations and maintenance approach.

Project scope reflects the September 2026 presentation. Infrastructure described here is planned; this page does not indicate that water deliveries have begun.

03 / The water resource

Conserve water.
Before it is lost
to evaporation.

The Mojave Groundwater Bank uses a naturally occurring underground aquifer in the desert. Groundwater moves through the closed basin toward Fenner Gap and the Bristol and Cadiz dry lakes.

Project wells are designed to capture freshwater before it reaches the dry lakes, where it would otherwise become saline and evaporate. The County-approved management plan is designed to conserve water while protecting the aquifer and surrounding resources.

Aquifer cross-section showing precipitation in mountain areas, groundwater flow toward Fenner Gap, and evaporation at the desert dry lakes
Conceptual closed-basin groundwater system • Illustration from the project presentation
01 / NATURAL RECHARGE

From mountains to aquifer

Precipitation in the surrounding desert mountains contributes to groundwater recharge.

02 / CONSERVATION

Capture before evaporation

Planned recovery wells intercept groundwater moving toward the desert dry lakes.

03 / REGIONAL CONNECTION

Deliver through infrastructure

The Northern Pipeline is designed to connect recovered water to participating water providers.

04 / Groundwater stewardship

Monitoring is part
of the plan.

The Groundwater Management, Monitoring and Mitigation Plan establishes a framework for tracking groundwater conditions and responding to potential impacts.

Fenner Gap Mutual Water Company is responsible for overseeing groundwater recovery in compliance with the plan approved by San Bernardino County.

42Existing monitoring wells
2Existing cluster wells
13Existing land survey benchmarks
2Existing weather stations

Existing agricultural monitoring network reported in September 2026.

A network of measurements

The existing monitoring program combines wells, land survey benchmarks, satellite-based land deformation data, flow meter surveys, weather stations, and spring observations.

Expanded monitoring for project operations

The presentation identifies additional cluster wells, extraction wells, land survey benchmarks, weather stations, dust-monitoring instruments, and a vegetation monitoring program for project operations.

Environmental review and technical studies

The presentation documents environmental reviews under CEQA and NEPA, along with technical work on groundwater recharge, evaporation, springs, and groundwater management. These studies inform the project’s monitoring and mitigation framework.

Management and corrective measures

The plan is intended to identify potential undesirable effects and provide corrective measures. Groundwater management and monitoring are ongoing responsibilities, rather than a one-time review.

05 / Project partnerships

Clear roles.
Shared regional purpose.

The Authority, infrastructure owner, and water company have distinct responsibilities within the project partnership.

Regional partnership

San Bernardino Water and Power Authority

The joint powers authority supports regional water and power infrastructure through collaboration among its members.

Development & operations oversight

Fenner Gap Mutual Water Company

The nonprofit mutual benefit corporation develops the project, acquires and distributes water to members, and manages operations and maintenance responsibilities.

Infrastructure ownership

Mojave Water Infrastructure LLC

The project structure identifies Mojave Water Infrastructure LLC as the owner of the Northern Pipeline project infrastructure.

Water providers identified in the presentation’s supply agreements

Santa Margarita Water DistrictCucamonga Valley Water DistrictGolden State Water CompanyFontana Water Company

Project delivery responsibilities identified in the presentation

Stantec · DesignW.M. Lyles · Pump stationsMike Bubalo Construction · PipelineFenner Gap · Wellfield

06 / Questions & answers

Get to know the project.

What is San Bernardino Water and Power?

It is the public-facing name used here for the San Bernardino Water and Power Financing Authority, a joint powers authority supporting regional water and power infrastructure. The Authority is distinct from Fenner Gap Mutual Water Company, which develops the Northern Pipeline project and oversees its water operations.

What is the Northern Pipeline project?

It is the proposed conversion of a 162-mile existing steel pipeline to convey water from the Mojave Groundwater Bank to State Water Project facilities in San Bernardino and Kern Counties. The scope includes pipeline replacement, four pump stations, and connections to participating providers.

Is the project entirely new construction?

No. The project adapts an existing pipeline originally built for oil service in the 1980s. The presentation states that it was retired, cleaned, and maintained in idle status before Cadiz acquired it in 2021. Conversion work includes testing, replacement of approximately 26 miles, and construction of new supporting facilities.

Does this page describe an operating water service?

No. It introduces the Authority and the project scope described in the September 2026 presentation. Project descriptions and planned facilities should not be interpreted as a notice that water service has commenced.

How does power fit into the project?

The Authority’s purpose includes both water and power infrastructure. For the Northern Pipeline, the presentation includes power facilities supporting pumping operations. It does not describe a separate retail electric service offering.

A shared commitment to
the region’s water future.

Explore the project ↑