SAFE DRINKING WATER PROGRAM

The WRD Safe Drinking Water Program (SDWP) was established in 1991 with the goal of developing innovative and low-cost solutions to remediate and repair groundwater wells in southern Los Angeles County. Through the SDWP program, WRD collaborates with water providers to remediate wells affected by substances that may impact the quality or appearance of tap water. The goal of the SDWP is to promote the cleanup of groundwater resources at a low cost. This ensures the four million people in WRD’s service area have access to high-quality groundwater and an affordable rate.

The program is critical to preventing the unnecessary closure of wells and ensures continued access to a local supply of water. Since 1991, over twenty wellhead treatment projects have been complete. These projects also increased the local water supply by 16,900 acre-feet annually, or approximately 5.5 billion gallons each year. WRD was able to reach this success through grants and low-cost financing options for water providers.

Program Highlights: 

• Promotes the cleanup of groundwater resources at specific well locations
• Unwanted substances are removed from groundwater using wellhead treatment facilities
• Projects are completed in collaboration with well owners
• WRD's Safe Drinking Water Program has operated since 1991 and has remediated over 20 groundwater wells

 Program Benefits:

• Provides financial assistance to local groundwater users
• Increases groundwater quality by decreasing the spread of unwanted substances
• Increases use of local water resources over imported water

DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES (DAC) PROGRAM

WRD is committed to strengthening small water systems and providing the region with high-quality and affordable drinking water. The Disadvantaged Communities (DAC) Program was developed to supplement the Safe Drinking Water Program with external funding, including state and federal grants, to improve water quality and resilience in economically disadvantaged communities.

Too often, small and medium-size water systems that serve DACs do not apply to state or federal funding programs because they have limited capacity to follow the complex requirements typically associated with these funding programs.

Under the DAC Program, WRD staff provide technical assistance to participants to identify appropriate funding opportunities and submit successful grant and loan applications for their drinking water infrastructure. This can involve:

• Providing guidance on funding requirements and project eligibility
• Overseeing all aspects of the application
• Working directly with funding agencies to ensure a seamless process
• Providing support with post-grant award requirements 

SAFE DRINKING WATER PROGRAM & DAC PROJECTS IN WRD'S SERVICE AREA