Joint Powers Authority formed to Finance New Water Supply Infrastructure

Public water agencies in San Bernardino County have formed a new public joint powers authority (“JPA”) to provide financing support for water and power infrastructure projects being developed in Inland Empire and High Desert communities. The San Bernardino Water and Power Authority (the “Authority”) held its first meeting on October 5 and elected Inland Empire Utilities Agency (“IEUA”) Board President Steve Elie as President of the Authority.

San Bernardino County voted to form the new JPA with Fenner Gap Mutual Water Company (“Fenner Gap”) on April 21, 2026. IEUA formally joined the Authority on September 2, 2026, and on September 17, the Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority (“VVWRA”) Board of Commissioners also voted to express its intent to join the Authority.

The governing board of the Authority includes Steve Elie (representing IEUA) as President; Barbara Lloyd (representing Fenner Gap) as Treasurer; Dakota Higgins (representing San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Cook) as Interim Secretary; and Supervisor Curt Hagman (representing San Bernardino County).

The Authority will support San Bernardino County’s regional strategy to develop sustainable, affordable water and energy infrastructure, expand water recycling and reclamation, capture stormwater, recharge groundwater basins, restore impaired groundwater supplies and reduce dependence on imported water. By providing low-cost financing for interconnected water and energy projects, the Authority will help local agencies lower costs for customers while supporting new housing and sustainable economic growth.

“The County approved creation of the Authority to strengthen regional cooperation and support development of essential water and power infrastructure,” said Supervisor Dawn Rowe, Chairman of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors. “We formed this JPA to give our local agency partners a cost-effective financing vehicle for critical infrastructure projects that will help lower water and energy costs for families and businesses throughout the County.”

“Water agencies throughout the Inland Empire face significant capital investment needs,” said Steve Elie, President of the Authority and President of the Inland Empire Utilities Agency. “The Authority will expand access to public and private capital, leverage innovative funding opportunities and help lower the cost of essential water and energy services for our customers.”

“The next generation of water infrastructure will require innovative financing and a much greater role for private capital,” said Susan Kennedy, President of Fenner Gap Mutual Water Company. “Public-private partnerships can deliver major infrastructure at a scale and cost that traditional public financing alone cannot achieve. The Authority creates a platform to bring that investment to the region, accelerate construction and lower costs for ratepayers.”