Spring Melt Replenishes Basin Stores A s the snow on the San Gabriel Mountains melts in spring, water flows downhill where it is diverted into spreading grounds to percolate into a massive groundwater basin beneath the communities of the San Gabriel Valley. The Main San Gabriel Basin surface area spans 167 square miles and it lies about 100 yards beneath homes, businesses and streets. This groundwater basin, which can store 8.6 million acre- feet of fresh water, supplies about 90% of the water that 1.5 million residents depend upon every day. The Main San Gabriel Basin is the primary source of drinking water for 25 cities and unincorporated areas of the San Gabriel Valley. Rainfall, snowmelt, as well as imported water fill the basin, which is managed by the Main San Gabriel Basin Watermaster (Watermaster). “San Gabriel Valley communities are extraordinarily fortunate
to have such a massive source of drinking water right beneath their feet,” said San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority (WQA) Executive Director Randy Schoellerman. Since 1973, Watermaster has managed the replenishment and withdrawal of water from the Basin. In 1984, the EPA placed a large portion of the Basin on the federal Superfund cleanup list, due to industrial contamination. The State legislature established the WQA in 1993 to “to coordinate, plan, and implement groundwater quality management programs to efficiently remediate groundwater contamination and assist in preventing future contamination.” “The improper disposal and handling of chemicals for decades forced the shutdown of wells and threatened to render this huge drinking water source unsafe,” said Schoellerman. “From the beginning, WQA’s role has been to coordinate the cleanup of the Basin to ensure the sustainability of the groundwater supply for today and for future generations.” There are 34 active groundwater treatment plants in the San Gabriel Basin. To date, WQA has coordinated and supported cleanup efforts that have resulted in the
BOARD MEMBERS
treatment of more than 2.1 million acre-feet of water while removing 110 tons of contaminants. An acre-foot is equal to 326,000 gallons. The cleanup coordinated by the WQA includes funding from state and federal sources as well as contributions from the responsible parties. This funding helps to lessen the burden on local ratepayers. Watermaster manages water levels in the basin by regulating how much water can be pumped out each year, which is balanced by inflows from rainfall or imported water. The water table is currently 73 feet higher than its historic low elevation just a few years ago. Though
Lynda Noriega Chairwoman
Robert Gonzales Vice Chairman
Valerie Muñoz Secretary
Bob Kuhn Treasurer
variable, on average about 200,000 acre-feet of water is pumped from the Basin annually for use by residents as drinking water. Meanwhile, the WQA coordinates the cleanup of the Basin to ensure safe drinking water whether the area is in a state of drought or abundance. “As recent statewide drought conditions and variability in rainfall affect the big water picture, a clean Basin becomes even more important,” said Schoellerman.” Through the years, new contaminants and drinking water regulations have emerged, making WQA’s job as vital today as it was at the start. PFAS (Per-and Polyfluorinated Substances), known as “forever chemicals” because they remain in the environment, are of particular concern for the WQA and throughout the nation. The California Legislature has extended the life of the WQA to July 1, 2050. The WQA will continue to safeguard one of the San Gabriel Valley’s most valuable assets: The Main San Gabriel Basin Aquifer. The WQA keeps its focus on the key mission of making sure your water is safe. Learn more at www.wqa.com
Ed Chavez Board Member
Robert DiPrimio Board Member
(626) 338-5555 info@wqa.com
www.wqa.com
Mark Paulson Board Member
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