HISTORY
The San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority (WQA) was established by the State Legislature (SB1679) on February 11, 1993, to develop, finance, and implement groundwater treatment programs in the San Gabriel Basin.
The San Gabriel Basin is the primary source of drinking water for more than 1 million people in Alhambra, Irwindale, La Puente, Rosemead, Azusa, Baldwin Park, City of Industry, El Monte, South El Monte, West Covina and other areas of the San Gabriel Valley.
In 1979, industrial solvents and other contaminants were identified in groundwater in the San Gabriel Valley. The contamination at the site is believed to be the result of decades of improper chemical handling and disposal practices. As a result, water suppliers had to shut down wells and large portions of the basin were placed on the federal Superfund cleanup list in 1984. The WQA was created to manage and coordinate the cleanup with local, state, and federal agencies.
Cleanup so far has cost about $500 million, which came from public funds and the parties responsible for the contamination. WQA-sponsored projects represent more than half of the total contaminants removed from the Basin.
BY THE NUMBERS
AGENCY PARTNERS
WQA STAFF
RANDY SCHOELLERMAN, P.E.
Executive Director
DAN COLBY
Assistant Executive Director/Senior Project Manager
MARY SAENZ, CPA
Director of Finance
STEPHANIE MORENO, MPA
Director of Communications, Board Relations
JACKIE MONTGOMERY
Accounting Specialist
MICHELLE SANCHEZ
Senior Administrative Assistant/Office Coordinator