Salt and Nutrient Management Plans (SNMPs) are required under the State of California’s Recycled Water Policy, adopted in 2009 and amended in 2018. The policy promotes the use of recycled water from municipal wastewater sources as an increasingly important local supply, while ensuring that salts and nutrients are managed to protect groundwater quality. 

In the Coachella Valley, Desert Water Agency (DWA) works collaboratively with regional water and wastewater agencies to manage salts and nutrients on a basin-wide scale. This coordinated approach supports the long-term health of the groundwater basin, DWA’s primary water source, by identifying sources of salts and nutrients, evaluating potential impacts, and establishing management strategies to protect water quality. 

2015 Salt and Nutrient Management Plan 

In 2015, DWA, Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD), and Indio Water Authority (IWA) developed the Coachella Valley Salt and Nutrient Management Plan (CV-SNMP). This plan provides a technical foundation for understanding basin conditions and guiding long-term management of salts and nutrients. 

To view the 2015 CV-SNMP Plan and Appendices, go to the website here. 

In February 2020, the Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Board) provided the agencies with an assessment and recommendations for the 2015 plan, encouraging the agencies to restart the SNMP development process. DWA, along with CVWD, IWA, Coachella Water Authority and Coachella Sanitary District, Myoma Dunes Mutual Water Company, Valley Sanitary District, Mission Springs Water District, and the City of Palm Springs (CV-SNMP Agencies) prepared and submitted a CV-SNMP Groundwater Monitoring Program Workplan and CV-SNMP Development Workplan to the Regional Board in December 2020 and May 2021, respectively. The Regional Board approved the CV-SNMP Groundwater Monitoring Program Workplan in February 2021 and the CV-SNMP Development Workplan in October 2021. 

To view the CV-SNMP Groundwater Monitoring Program Workplan and CV-SNMP Development Workplan, go to the website here. 

CV-SNMP Update (In Progress) 

Regional agencies are currently working together to implement the CV-SNMP Development Workplan and update the CV-SNMP to reflect current groundwater conditions, improved data, and updated regulatory requirements. This effort will build upon the 2015 plan and continue to support sustainable groundwater management across the Coachella Valley. 

For the latest information, updates, and opportunities to participate in the CV-SNMP update process, please visit the regional SNMP website at www.cvsnmp.com.