Metropolitan celebrates 50-year anniversary of Water Quality Section

LA VERNE, Calif. – Five decades of extraordinary commitment to preserving the quality and safety of Southern California’s imported water deliveries were hailed today during a ceremony commemorating the creation of Metropolitan Water District’s Water Quality Section with staff focused on monitoring the district’s source and treated supplies.

Coinciding with the 50^th anniversary of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act in December, the event at Metropolitan’s La Verne-based Water Quality Laboratory, where the agency conducts water sample testing and applied research, drew over 100 attendees, including local and state officials, as well as current and retired water quality staff.  

“Threats to the quality of our drinking water remain a fundamental concern for the State Water Resources Control Board, even 50 years after passage of the Safe Drinking Water Act. We’re proud to partner with Metropolitan and other local agencies to help meet the most protective standards in the nation,” said E. Joaquin Esquivel, State Water Board chair. “Through its innovative Water Quality Section, and at other labs through our state, Metropolitan and others continue to safeguard water supplies for millions of Californians.”  

Metropolitan’s dedication to monitoring and assuring the quality of its supplies has been prevalent since the first deliveries of Colorado River water in 1941 were treated at the district’s first water softening plant – now known as the F.E. Weymouth Treatment Plant, also located in La Verne. Three decades later, in 1974, the district’s Water Quality and Research Branch was established, the same year the Safe Drinking Water Act was signed into law by President Gerald Ford.

“At that time, Metropolitan saw that stricter regulations were on the horizon, so the board of directors showed true leadership, taking action to form what was then known as Metropolitan’s Water Quality and Research Branch, focused on ensuring the safety of our water supplies,” said Metropolitan board Chair Adán Ortega, Jr. “Our efforts have been bolstered by the standards set by the Safe Drinking Water Act, which underscores the government’s commitment to safeguarding our most essential resource.”

When established, the Water Quality and Research Branch was composed of 10 staff redirected from other areas of the district. Today, Metropolitan’s Water Quality Section comprises 110 employees dedicated to monitoring Metropolitan’s water supplies and responding to emerging challenges through research and innovation. They test about 70,000 samples per year from throughout Metropolitan’s distribution system and source water supplies, looking for more than 400 constituents and generating nearly 250,000 test results annually.

“I am proud of the global reputation for excellence that our water quality section has built over this organization’s history,” said Metropolitan Interim General Manager Deven Upadhyay. “That legacy is thanks to the visionary leadership of our board, and the expertise and dedication of our staff who have produced the research and innovation needed to respond to challenges that have arisen along the way.”  

Metropolitan’s research has appeared hundreds of times in technical journals across the world. The district has developed and improved monitoring tools, including tests to detect compounds that affect taste and odor and the use of scuba divers to collect samples for testing from the depths of Metropolitan’s reservoirs. Extensive research also led to the addition of ozone disinfection at all of Metropolitan’s treatment plants.

In addition, Metropolitan followed the example of the wine and food industry to establish the first use of flavor profile analysis for drinking water, during which specially trained staff taste and smell Metropolitan’s water to ensure good aesthetics. Metropolitan staff also developed and patented technology for detecting cryptosporidium, a parasite that can cause serious illness for immunocompromised individuals. Today, Metropolitan also uses a tool developed in house for monitoring its reservoirs from space using satellites.

“Our work in water quality is never truly finished,” said Mickey Chaudhuri, Metropolitan’s treatment and water quality group manager. “Each day brings new challenges that drive us to adapt and innovate, ensuring the safety and sustainability of our water supply. As we look to the future, we are committed to continuously advancing our practices and collaborating with partners to meet the evolving needs of our communities.” 

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a state-established cooperative that, along with its 26 cities and retail suppliers, provides water for 19 million people in six counties. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage and other resource-management programs.