San Gabriel Basin Wqa

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.

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