On Nov. 21, the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) Board of Directors approved the creation of an Infrastructure Committee to help tackle present and future challenges in securing water and power delivery to residents in the Imperial and Coachella Valleys. This new committee is set to address issues related to funding for infrastructure projects as well as service efficiency improvement.
To comprehend the magnitude of the task ahead for the newly created Infrastructure Committee, one needs to grasp the expanse of IID's current service area and its significant infrastructure. According to a press release issued by the City of La Quinta on Nov. 22, IID, in existence since 1911, has an expansive service area, spread out over some 6,500 square miles. Its infrastructure is significant: 7,000 miles of distribution and transmission lines, 37 internal generators, 3,000 miles of canals and drains, 12 reservoirs, Imperial Dam and the All-American Canal. IID delivers power to more than 160,000 customers and water to about 450,000 acres of land.
Now that we have laid out the vast scope of services provided by IID, it's crucial to delve into some pressing challenges faced by this entity. According to the press release, one of IID’s challenges in providing reliable and cost-effective services is obtaining funding for projects to update aging infrastructure and improve water conveyance system efficiency. It is currently exploring various grant opportunities such as those offered under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act. The new committee will be instrumental in prioritizing projects as IID pursues federal funding.
It's important to highlight who will be leading these ambitious tasks within this newly formed Infrastructure Committee. According to the city’s press release, the new Infrastructure Committee will have on board two directors—IID Director Gina Dockstader and IID Vice President JB Hamby—along with district staff.
Listening to the perspectives of these key leaders gives us insight into how this committee aims to function. "Having two Directors in the new committee will ensure that during the budget process we prioritize critical infrastructure projects. In doing so, we will avoid overlooking key investments into our water and energy systems," said Dockstader.
Adding to Dockstader's point, Hamby emphasizes their strategic approach towards fulfilling community's infrastructure needs. "We are laser-focused on forward-thinking, whole-system, and strategic approaches to meet our community’s critical infrastructure needs effectively to provide reliable, cost-effective water and power service to our region for generations to come," Hamby said.