COLTON COURIER Weekly
February 19, 2026
Vol 154, NO. 12
From Septic Tanks to Sewers, Unincorporated Bloomington Lands $1.092 Million for Public Health and Growth
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Individuals Who Prey on Undocumented Victims Could Get Two Years More of Prison Time Under Ramos Measure Pg. 3
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL U.S. Rep. Pete Aguilar, left, speaks with County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr., right, beside a ceremonial $1 million federal earmark check supporting Bloomington’s septic-to-sewer conversion project.
By Manny Sandoval
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undreds of Bloomington residents will soon have the opportunity to move away from aging septic tanks and connect to a modern sewer system, a shift officials say will significantly improve public health, protect groundwater and enhance quality of life across the historic community. The transformation is being driven by a $1.092 million federal earmark secured by Congressman Pete Aguilar and presented
Reyes Proposes Clear Protections Against Secret Recordings Using Wearable Technology
Jan. 17 at the Bloomington Public Library, funding critical sewer infrastructure that will allow homes to connect to centralized wastewater lines for the first time. For many Bloomington families, septic tanks have been a costly and burdensome necessity for decades, requiring ongoing maintenance and posing risks when systems age or fail. “You have to call, you have to get it cleaned, you have to get it changed,” Aguilar said. “For some of these properties,
if they’ve had septic for 50 to 60 years, that tank is nearing its end of use. So this allows them the ability to tie into the mainline sewer system and really help with a quality of life and peace of mind.” A septic tank is a buried, watertight container designed to collect and partially treat household wastewater on-site. While common in older or rural communities not connected to municipal sewer systems, aging septic infrastructure can allow contaminants, including nitrates, to enter groundSeptic, cont. next pg.
Colton Youth Council Explores Agua Mansa Power Plant During February Leadership Session
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New Cheech Exhibit Traces Chicano Photography From Civil Rights to Now; Muscoy Artist Documents Logistics Threat Pg. 8 Inland Empire Community Newspapers Office: (909) 381-9898 Editorial: iecn1@mac.com Advertising: iecn1@mac.com Legals : iecnlegals@gmail.com
PHOTO DR. G (L to R): Leah Ornelas, Kaitlyn Torres, Ava Diaz, Samantha Sandoval, and Jasmin Lopez Herrera at the Agua Mansa Power Plant (AMPP).
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August and meets monthly throughout the school year, focused its latest session on the Colton Electric Department. Electric Utility Director Charles Berry led the presentation, which included informational handouts, a video and a tour of the Agua Mansa Power Plant.
The Youth Council, which begins each
The session was held on-site at the plant, located at 2040 Agua Mansa Road. Following a roundtable discussion, stu-
By Dr.G (Dr. Luis S González), community writer he City of Colton Youth Council held its February meeting last week, continuing its yearlong program designed to teach local students about leadership, city history and municipal operations.
dents toured the facility — known as the Agua Mansa Power Plant (AMPP) — where they observed heavy machinery, large transformers and extensive highpowered cable lines. Students were required to wear hard hats and sturdy walking shoes to navigate dirt, asphalt and gravel surfaces. “I sure had fun learning about electric Agua Mansa, cont. next pg.