The Mojave Water Agency (MWA) broke ground Wednesday morning on a significant infrastructure upgrade aimed at improving water reliability across the High Desert. The ceremony took place at the White Road turnout site along Duncan Road in Phelan, where the Agency is launching construction of its new Traveling Screen Facility.
“This project marks a critical investment in our region’s water infrastructure,” said Rick Roelle, MWA Board President and Director for Division 5, which includes the town of Apple Valley. “It underscores our longstanding commitment to delivering reliable, high-quality water to our communities.”
The new facility will serve as a self-cleaning filtration system that prevents moss and debris from entering the Mojave River Pipeline. Water is imported from the California Aqueduct and recharged into the region’s aquifers through MWA’s infrastructure. Until now, moss buildup has restricted pipeline capacity. The new screen is designed to improve flow and reduce maintenance, restoring the system’s full efficiency.
Engineering Manager Tesfaye Demissie explained, “The traveling screen is essentially a large, rotating belt that lifts debris out of the intake water and returns it to the aqueduct. By preventing buildup in the pipeline, we increase flow capacity and protect downstream facilities.”
This site also represents the Agency’s first traveling screen installed directly within the aqueduct right-of-way—a design choice that reduced both costs and environmental disruption. The project includes the construction of a two-acre groundwater recharge basin, with future plans to expand onto an adjacent 40-acre site owned by MWA. The basin will allow water to slowly percolate into the aquifer during wet years, helping to store excess supply for future droughts.
“This is a multi-benefit project,” Demissie said. “It enhances water quality, adds recharge flexibility, and reduces strain on downstream infrastructure.”
Kathy Hoffman, MWA Division 3 Director representing Phelan, Pinon Hills, and Baldy Mesa, attended the event alongside fellow board member Jessie Ramirez of District 6 representing the Barstow area, underscoring the agency-wide support for the project. Hoffman emphasized the importance of building recharge capacity close to where it’s needed most.
“This new recharge capability is in area where it will most benefit the area, unincorporated part of our service area and MWA is currently in the design phase of a recharge basin in Pinon Hills as well,” Hoffman said. “The State Water Project is a highly variable supply, and to take full advantage of it, we need the ability to capture large amounts of water during those rare high-allocation years. This project helps us do exactly that.”
She added, “I’d also like to thank all the amazing employees at MWA for their hard work and dedication to this project.”
Project partners include Carollo Engineering, Nicholas Construction, and Kennedy Jenks managing the project. Environmental clearance and permitting were coordinated with the California Department of Water Resources, which owns the aqueduct. Funding comes in part from nearly $3.92 million in grants, including $2.17 million from the state’s Urban and Multi-Benefit Drought Relief Grant Program and $1.75 million in congressionally directed funding secured by Congressman Jay Obernolte.
Local dignitaries and agency partners participated in a ceremonial shovel dig, marking the official start of construction. Roelle closed the event by acknowledging the public’s trust: “We’re not just building infrastructure. We’re laying the foundation for a stronger, more sustainable future.”
The project is expected to be completed in 2026. For more information, visit www.mojavewater.org or follow @mojavewater on social media.
