Where Hemet’s Water Really Comes From

One of the most common questions I hear is simple: Where does our water actually come from? It’s a fair question, especially as our community continues to grow and people understandably want to know whether we have enough water to support that growth.

The short answer is yes—but not because we rely on just one source. Hemet’s water supply is built around diversification, long-term planning, and decades of investment in conservation, recycling, and infrastructure.

A Diversified Water Supply

Hemet does not rely on a single river, reservoir, or well. Instead, our water supply comes from several sources working together.

Approximate breakdown:

• Imported water (about 50–60%)

  • Northern California

• Recycled water (about 35%)

• Groundwater (about 10%)

• Brackish or groundwater that is treated (about 15–20%)

This mix allows us to adapt when conditions change—whether that’s drought, regulatory shifts, or climate impacts affecting a particular source.

Imported Water: A Key Part of Reliability

Roughly half of Hemet’s water supply is imported through regional systems, including water conveyed from Northern California. Sometimes but rarely water is imported from the Colorado River. It has more minerals which we don't want in our groundwater basin. Imported water plays an important role in maintaining reliability because it helps reduce pressure on local groundwater supplies, provides flexibility during dry years, and balances the system when local sources are limited. At the same time, imported water is only one piece of the overall strategy, which is why we’ve worked hard to strengthen local sources and reduce overreliance on any single supply.

Recycling: Keeping Water in the Community

Recycled water now makes up roughly 35% of our overall supply, and that percentage continues to grow. By treating and reusing water, we’re able to keep more water in the community instead of letting it leave the basin, improve long-term reliability, and reduce dependence on imported sources. Advanced recycling projects are also a critical part of rebuilding groundwater levels and preparing for future drought conditions.

Groundwater and Treated Brackish Water

Groundwater still plays an important role in our water supply, but it’s no longer relied on the way it once was. Today, about 10% of our supply comes from traditional groundwater pumping, with an additional 15–20% coming from brackish or poor-quality groundwater that is treated to meet water quality standards. This approach allows us to make use of water that wouldn’t otherwise be usable, while protecting higher-quality groundwater for long-term sustainability.

Growth Without Using More Water

One of the most important facts about the region’s water use is that we use about the same total amount of water today as we did in 1990, even though our population has nearly tripled. That didn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of ongoing conservation efforts, major investments in water recycling, upgrades to infrastructure and efficiency, and changes in how water is used across homes, businesses, and agriculture. As a result, per-capita water use has dropped significantly, allowing the community to grow without increasing overall demand.

Do We Have Enough Water for New Development?

This is a question that comes up often, and it’s an important one. The ability to support new development depends on having diversified water sources, long-term contracts for imported water, continued conservation and recycling, and ongoing investment in infrastructure. Because of the planning that’s already been done—and the work that continues—we’re able to support growth while still protecting reliability and long-term sustainability.

Looking Ahead

Water planning isn’t about guessing what next year will bring. It’s about preparing for the next several decades. By combining imported water, recycling, groundwater management, and infrastructure investment, Hemet has built a water supply that’s resilient, adaptable, and forward-looking. The goal isn’t just to meet today’s needs, but to make sure future generations inherit a system that works.