Benjamin Franklin, one of our Founding Fathers, stated, “When the well is dry, we know the worth of water.” This could not be truer today. Here in the United States, we expect safe, clean water to flow when we turn on the tap. While the average American may take this for granted, there are one billion people in the world that lack access to potable water. This awareness can be a good reminder to us all of the value of water and importance of managing this essential natural resource in the face of ever increasing demands, degrading environmental conditions and climate change.
Safe drinking water and sanitation are indispensable to sustaining healthy livelihoods and maintaining the dignity of all human beings.
This year’s water quality report focuses on the value of water and what we do, as your Public Works Agency, to ensure that the water coming out of your tap is of the highest quality. Our commitment to Santa Ana water customers extends beyond constant monitoring, sampling, testing and maintenance. It drives our long term planning and capital improvement projects to make sure our water supply and other public works, such as our streets, remain reliable and sustainable to serve the needs of our City for generations to come. You will read about our improvements to Santa Ana’s infrastructure as well as exciting plans to advance important initiatives and pursue new opportunities that will enhance quality of life and economic development.
One opportunity includes the 11 areas in Santa Ana that qualify as “Opportunity Zones,” defined as underserved areas where new investments, under certain conditions, may be eligible for preferential tax treatment. Tax incentive investment in Santa Ana has the potential to become an economic engine that will promote commercial and residential development, attract more business, and create new jobs for our community. How this development will impact our infrastructure, public services and public safety requires proper planning. With our big picture thinking and interdepartmental, long-term planning in place, we remain one step ahead in preparing for the City’s future needs.
We are pleased to present to you this year’s water quality report. Please review it and feel free to contact us with any questions you may have. On behalf of the City of Santa Ana Public Works Agency and the men and women of the Water Resources Division, thank you for allowing us to serve you.
Sincerely,
Nabil Saba, P.E.
Executive Director
Public Works Agency
City of Santa Ana