REGION: Stone has $5 million financing plan for Wine Country sewer

Riverside County Supervisor Jeff Stone has come up with a plan to construct a sewer system to accommodate his grand vision of expanding Wine Country into a destination resort.

Stone is preparing to take that plan to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.

"I am asking that the board join me in committing a total of $5 million for this project," Stone wrote in a report to the board. "This commitment from the county will jump-start sewer construction within the Wine Country region and ensure ongoing economic prosperity of Southwest Riverside County."

State and local water officials have warned that wineries' practice of relying on septic systems won't work if there is a major commercial expansion of Wine Country. They have stressed that the introduction of sewers must accompany the planned tripling of wineries and anticipated opening of many hotels and restaurants.

Financing, however, has been a concern, but Stone said he has figured out a way to pay for a sewer system.

Stone is asking supervisors to authorize a $2 million loan from the county's waste management enterprise fund to provide upfront funding for the system's first phase.

He also wants the board to commit $3 million in the future for a second phase, if needed.

The Eastern Municipal Water District, which provides sewer service in much of Southwest County, would install the lines.

Charlie Bachmann, Eastern's assistant general manager in charge of engineering and construction, said the plan is to run a line from Nicolas Road through Roripaugh Ranch, then along Calle Contento to Rancho California Road. It would serve wineries spread along Rancho California from the Temecula city limit to Monte de Oro.

Bachmann said that initial phase is expected to cost $15 million to $18 million.

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REGION: Stone has $5 million financing plan for Wine Country sewer