Church Project Delayed by Water Woes

Construction began a little more than two years ago on the Kyriakos Christian Center — a new church being built on Avenue 43 near Burr Street in Indio.

“We thought we would’ve been finished by now,” said Rev. Carl McPeters.

The reason for the delay?

Reverend McPeters says it comes down to water — inadequate water pressure and water lines that needed upgrading.

And he is blaming the Coachella Valley Water District.

“We have been left to go back and fix a problem that had already existed in which CVWD was fully aware of,” said the reverend.

He says when construction started, they were pulling water from a fire hydrant at another church down the street.

McPeters says the water pressure from the hydrant was at 1,200 gallons per minute — well below the 1,500 required by the fire department.

The reverend says the fire department raised the requirement to 2,000 gallons per minute for the hydrant next to the new church.

And, they would need a bigger water line.

“All of the fees associated with us getting water up here was close to $100,000,” said Reverend McPeters. “Until we met the GPM requirement, this project was dead in the water, dead on arrival.”

But the water district says it has not dropped the ball.

“For public safety reasons, the fire protection requirements for a church call for increased water flow beyond the requirements for a residential neighborhood. Coachella Valley Water District is supportive of Rev. McPeters’ efforts to build a new church and will continue to collaborate with him and the Fire Marshall to ensure adequate fire protection for the church,” said General Manager Steve Robbins.

In the meantime, Reverend McPeters says, despite the frustration, the church will soon be serving the community — possibly by the end of the year.

“We’re doing everything on our part to raise the additional capital. We’re going to finish this project, with God’s help.”