The overriding theme of this year’s water quality report is long-term sustainability. Water is at the core of sustainable development and is critical for our physical, social, economic, and environmental well being. Simply stated, water is essential for life!
For many people living in developing nations, the lack of access to clean water and proper sanitation is a daily crisis. Yet most people in developed countries like ours don’t think about what it takes to deliver the clean water they use for drinking, food preparation, sanitation and irrigation. They often take for granted the abundance of clean water in their day-today lives.
Water is a limited and irreplaceable resource that is only renewable if well managed, which is why one of our top priorities as your Public Works Agency is to ensure high quality water and a more resilient water system.
We continually focus on water conservation and how to better leverage City resources to modernize our water infrastructure and improve efficiencies. For example, we work closely with our engineers to carefully plan water and sewer infrastructure upgrades in conjunction with street improvements. In this way, when we repave streets and repair sidewalks or lay down tracks for a new trolley system, the replacement of aging underground pipelines will already be in place. Our capital improvement projects include:
- Drilling two new wells.
- Upgrading the division’s supervisory control and data acquisition system (SCADA).
- Replacing five miles of aging pipelines each year.
- Upgrading to an Automated Meter Infrastructure (AMI) to reduce operational costs, detect water leaks early, improve services and prepare for Santa Ana’s future needs.
- Supporting the California WaterFix and expansion of Orange County Water District’s Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS).
Our work continues and so does our commitment to long-term sustainability; but that’s not all. Through constant monitoring, sampling, testing, and maintenance, our state-certified operators make certain the water coming out of your tap is not only safe to drink but also good tasting. In fact, their diligence has earned Santa Ana the distinction of producing the best tasting and highest quality tap water in the nation. We take pride in our award-winning water system, which has earned international recognition year after year.
Senate Bill 1
This November, a measure to repeal SB 1 will be on the ballot. This bill was passed in 2017 to fund transportation improvement projects, including projects in Santa Ana. Be sure to read about SB1 so you can be informed when you vote at the polls this fall.
We invite you to change the way you think about, value and manage water use. This is your community. We are all stewards of Santa Ana. Together, we can help keep our water flowing, and our city vital, for future generations to come.
On behalf of the entire staff of the Santa Ana Public Works Agency, thank you for allowing us to serve you.
Nabil Saba, P.E.
Public Works Agency
City of Santa Ana