San Bernardino Agencies Form Water Finance Authority

San Bernardino Water and Power Authority has been established by public water agencies in San Bernardino County to finance water and power infrastructure across Inland Empire and High Desert communities. The joint powers authority held its first meeting on October 5 and elected Inland Empire Utilities Agency Board President Steve Elie as its president. San Bernardino County voted to form the authority with Fenner Gap Mutual Water Company on April 21, 2026, while Inland Empire Utilities Agency joined on September 2. Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority voted on September 17 to express its intent to join.

Regional Financing Platform

The authority will provide low-cost financing for interconnected water and energy projects, including water recycling and reclamation, stormwater capture, groundwater recharge, restoration of impaired groundwater supplies and reduced reliance on imported water. Its stated aim is to lower infrastructure costs for local agencies while supporting housing and economic growth.

Supervisor Dawn Rowe, Chairman of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, said:

“The County approved creation of the Authority to strengthen regional cooperation and support development of essential water and power infrastructure. 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.”

Capital Needs Across Inland Empire

The authority’s governing board includes Elie as president, Barbara Lloyd of Fenner Gap as treasurer, Dakota Higgins as interim secretary and Supervisor Curt Hagman representing San Bernardino County. The entity can facilitate public and private capital, including revenue bonds and state and federal funding, for water supply, treatment, reclamation, conveyance, groundwater storage and related energy infrastructure.

Steve Elie, President of the Authority and President of the Inland Empire Utilities Agency, said:

“Water agencies throughout the Inland Empire face significant capital investment needs. 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.”

Infrastructure Investment Options

The authority is intended to support public-private partnerships for major infrastructure projects and provide another financing route for participating agencies.

Susan Kennedy, President of Fenner Gap Mutual Water Company, said:

“The next generation of water infrastructure will require innovative financing and a much greater role for private capital. 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.”