2019 CCR - Online

A Message from Cesar Barrera

The City of Santa Ana Public Works Agency takes pride in operating and maintaining a first-rate system that guarantees safe, clean water is available at your tap whenever you need it, even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Providing reliable drinking water is a job we take seriously, and one that requires a dedicated and knowledgeable staff to operate equipment, engineer new projects, build infrastructure and test the water that runs through it.

The City’s utility has completed several important projects over the last year to maintain and improve our water system.

Infrastructure Projects

We recently finished a renovation of the 1950s-era Walnut Pump Station, which is fed by three wells and houses a 6-million-gallon storage tank. The station now operates with state-of-the-art automation and more efficient controls that reduce the amount of energy required to pump water to the downtown area.

This forward-looking project, which received a Building Excellence, Shaping Tomorrow (BEST) Award from the American Public Works Association, is a prime example of the planning and work necessary to provide high-quality water and reliable service for our community.

With 20 percent of our infrastructure at the end of its useful life and knowing that number will double over the next 20 years, we must be prepared. As part of that effort, we have restored six wells and plan to construct a new well and many miles of new pipe to better serve you.

We are committed to protecting the public’s investment in water and sewer system assets and understand the financial impacts to the community.

Over the past two years we have pursued and were awarded $4.75 million in grant funds to help us complete projects like those detailed above.

We have enhanced training for our staff, so that all operators, engineers and managers spend equal time working on the water and sewer sides of the business. This innovative team approach is one of the keys to our success and helped us win a Best Sewer Collection System award from the California Water Environmental Association.

An Essential Service

Water is an essential service and will continue to be delivered to your tap. The City of Santa Ana has taken steps to protect the health of our employees, minimize potential exposure and avoid widespread impacts to our workforce, using teleworking, holding some critical staff in reserve, and microteams.

Through our pandemic action and business continuity plans, we are prepared to ensure water safety and reliability as conditions evolve. The solidarity of our workforce, and its ability to quickly adapt, is one of the ways we’ve been able to successfully deal with the significant challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

We will continue to safeguard our employees and your water supply—the most essential of services. You can rest assured that even in this unprecedented time, the Santa Ana Public Works Agency will deliver your water without fail.

Sincerely,