Media Corner

For Immediate Release
October 28, 2004

Central Basin Makes a Fresh Toast to Water Quality Protection Project

Carson, CA - The California Department of Health Services (DHS) issued a permit last week allowing Central Basin Municipal Water District to serve drinking water from its Water Quality Protection Project (WQPP) for use by residents of Pico Rivera, Whittier and Santa Fe Springs. During their October board meeting, Central Basin Directors made a toast with a clean glass of water, treated at the WQPP facility, applauding the beginning of this important project.

This project will allow Central Basin to provide an additional 3,600 gallons of water per minute that was previously unavailable for drinking use. The WQPP is a $10 million project, federally funded by the United States Bureau of Reclamation, constructed to prevent the contaminant plume from San Gabriel Valley from spreading into the local groundwater supply. For the past seven months, Central Basin has been treating this groundwater at its treatment plant located in Whittier and releasing it into the San Gabriel River to test the quality of the water produced by the WQPP. After numerous tests, DHS has determined that the water meets all drinking water standards and is safe for consumption.

"Central Basin has been working with the California Department of Health Services to ensure that our region's groundwater is protected and safe for drinking," said Central Basin Board President Bob Apodaca. "With the Water Quality Protection Project, we can continue to ensure a safe and reliable source of drinking water to our customers."

Central Basin is currently working with the cities of Pico Rivera, Whittier and Santa Fe Springs to begin delivery of the water.

Central Basin Directors toast with clean drinking water from the Water Quality Protection Project. From left to right are Board President Bob Apodaca, representing Division II; Director Phillip D. Hawkins, representing Division V; Director Olga E. Gonzalez, representing Division IV; and Director George Cole, representing Division III.