Our organization is currently on hiatus. For questions, please contact garry@coastkeeper.org.

Coachella Valley Waterkeeper

is a non-profit organization
addressing water-based issues
impacting our desert.

This is accomplished through five program tenets: advocacy, education, restoration, conservation and enforcement. We invite you to join us as we protect water quality and advocate for sustainable water practices to keep our Coachella Valley a special place to call home. Learn more about our ​work ​and visit our get involved​ page to join.

Coachella Valley Waters and Why We Need to Protect Them

Whitewater River

 

The Whitewater River is an important source of water for all Coachella Valley residents. Starting in the San Bernardino Mountains and ending at the Salton Sea, this fifty-four-mile river affects all residents of the Coachella Valley. Other sources include urban runoff and drainage from local farms, which are two dirty contributors. Our organization hopes to keep this river as clean as possible by fighting polluters and advocating for more sustainable drainage.

Photo (right): Jack Thompson/ Whitewater Preserve

Salton Sea

Created from a breach of the Colorado River over a century ago, the Salton Sea holds the title of California’s largest lake. Located in Riverside and Imperial counties, this massive lake covers nearly 345 square miles. This lake is home to robust wildlife, including over ​400 species of birds​. Unfortunately, it is also home to hazardous water pollution from the surrounding area. Without a source of clean water to replenish the Sea or the ability to remove pollutants, the Salton Sea is a serious ecological and human health problem for Southern California. Waterkeeper will address pollution in the Salton Sea by researching water quality and enforcing water pollution standards in the region.

Groundwater

Everybody loves the desert. With amazing weather, delicious eats and a unique style all-our-own, the Coachella Valley draws quite a crowd. The population of Coachella Valley cities, like ​Palm Springs​, has been consistently rising since the 1950s. In addition to new residents, we also attract several vacationers with our sunny weather, large events and relaxed attitude. This constant influx of people has put stress on our region’s groundwater supply. Groundwater supplies us with drinking water, irrigation, and helps fill local lakes and rivers. Two of our organization’s main goals are to reduce demand for and prevent pollution to our region’s groundwater supply.

Mission and Objectives

The mission of Coachella Valley Waterkeeper is to protect and enhance the water quality of Coachella Valley watersheds, ensuring that our desert communities have access to clean and sustainable water resources.

This is accomplished through programs of education, advocacy, restoration, conservation, and enforcement. Established in 2019, Coachella Valley Waterkeeper is a chapter of Orange County Coastkeeper, and is a separately licensed member of the international Waterkeeper Alliance.

To complete this goal, our objectives are to:

 

  • Build a regional, collaborative approach to watershed management
  • Develop water quality solutions that meet the needs of both the environment and the community
  • Implement actions and programs that have well-defined, measurable results
  • Work with local, state and federal government agencies to ensure proactive water policy
  • Increase environmental awareness among citizens, students, policymakers and the business community
  • Promote compliance with the federal Clean Water Act and other environmental laws

History of Coachella Valley Waterkeeper

Coachella Valley Waterkeeper was founded in 2019 by ​Orange County Coastkeeper. The need for a Coachella-based clean water organization was noted by the staff of both Orange County Coastkeeper and ​Inland Empire Waterkeeper​, who tackles the upstream issues of the Santa Ana River Watershed in both Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.

Coachella Valley Waterkeeper’s goal is to tackle water-based issues taking place in the Coachella Valley area, including Palm Springs, Indio, the northern tip of the Salton Sea, eastern Riverside County and more. Although we share the same 501(c)(3) number with Orange County Coastkeeper, we maintain separate finances, offices, staff, and projects.

About Orange County Coastkeeper and the Waterkeeper Alliance

Orange County Coastkeeper is an independent non-profit organization founded in 1999 by chief executive officer Garry Brown. Orange County Coastkeeper’s mission is to protect and promote water resources that are swimmable, drinkable, fishable and sustainable. ​Orange County Coastkeeper​ and ​Coachella Valley Waterkeeper​ are both affiliates of the Waterkeeper Alliance, a worldwide association of Waterkeeper organizations that advocate for clean water.

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