Water connections for two mobile home developments are forging ahead.

Officials with the Coachella Valley Water District and Mission Springs Water District in the next week will finalize bids and award contracts to connect the La Pena Housing Facility in Mecca and Whispering Sands Mobile Home Park in Desert Hot Springs.

Both projects were touted by the governor's office this week as being among 160 water projects statewide that have gotten $717 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and state funding.

“These water quality improvement projects will help stimulate local economies throughout California all while protecting our environment and public health,” Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said in a release.

In the desert:

The Coachella Valley Water District board on Tuesday will vote on the construction contract for the La Pena project.

The district received $939,644 for the connection.

The 60-some mobile homes use well water that does not meet state regulations for arsenic levels, water district spokesman Jack Porrelli said.

Bids are due to the Mission Springs district by Friday for the Whispering Sands connection project.

The district received $249,728 to connect the park's 50 households into the water system. The project should be complete by the end of the year.

“It was shovel-ready and it needed to be done,” Mission Springs spokeswoman Marilyn McKay said.

“They wanted to connect but were unable to afford the connection fees. The stimulus money will allow us to help them make the connection.”