Keeping 34 treatment plants operational while also investigating new sites and addressing emerging contaminants requires a dedicated staff of experts in their field. The San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority is sincerely grateful for the efforts of all the operators and staff members who ensure progress in the ongoing Basin cleanup. Thank you to all!
Federal Funds Not Allocated Congress did not allocate any funds to the federal San Gabriel Basin Restoration Fund in FY 2024/25. The WQA disbursed the $5.5 million from the FY 2023/24 allocation through its Federal Funding Program Administration process, which solicits and ranks requests. That funding followed two consecutive years with $10 million federal allocations. The Restoration Fund, established in 2000 and amended in 2007, authorizes $125 million to WQA to facilitate groundwater cleanup. To date, $103 million has been appropriated. We are grateful to our federal legislators, including Representatives Judy Chu and Gil Cisneros, and Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, for their continued outstanding support. While 70% of our cleanup funds to date have come from the responsible parties, the state and federal funds are needed to supplement the cleanup costs and keep local rates low. Additionally, the Restoration Fund dollars are necessary for the cleanup of emerging contaminants of concern, orphan sites, and non-ROD (Record of Decision) projects where there is no responsible party (RP) identified or the RPs don’t have the resources to do the work.
The WQA was delighted to hand out the first of many state Prop. 68 reimbursements at the end of the fiscal year. The City of El Monte, whose treatment facilities serve designated disadvantaged communities, is the recipient of the first cost reimbursement. The WQA received $52.8 million from Prop. 68, a $4.1 billion bond passed in 2018, to help fund 21 of the 32 water treatment facilities over 7 1/2 years. The money goes to local cities and water producers helping to fund portions of the Basin cleanup.
70% of our cleanup funds to date have come from the responsible parties
ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT FOR THE LOS ANGELES TIMES
ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT FOR THE LOS ANGELES TIMES
8 ■ SAN GABRIEL BASIN WATER QUALITY AUTHORITY
2024-2025 ANNUAL REPORT ■ 9
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