About the District

The San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District provides reliable supplemental water for the communities of Alhambra, Azusa, Monterey Park, and Sierra Madre in a cost-effective and environmentally responsible manner.

The District is a State Water Contractor, authorized to import supplies from the State Water Project to supplement local groundwater supplies for its member cities. The supplemental water is channeled through the District’s pipeline and system of turnouts to spreading grounds that are operated and maintained by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works. The water gradually percolates into the aquifer before it is pumped out and delivered to the District’s member cities.

In addition to supplemental water, the District provides its member cities with:

  • Technical and engineering expertise
  • Grants and low-interest loans for water supply and water quality infrastructure
  • Grants and zero-interest loans for pandemic-related water projects
  • Funding for pilot water conservation projects.

The District assists its member cities with:

  • Rebates for water-efficient products and appliances
  • Conservation education
  • School education programs
  • Drought education
  • Crisis communications

For details on our four member cities’ water supply and water conservation programs, please visit their websites.

Pages from SGVMWD_OverviewBrochure_Web

Click to read our District Overview publication

SGVMWD is a California special district – a local government created by the people of a community to deliver specialized services essential to their health, safety, economy and well-being.

History

San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District was formed in 1959, following a vote of the residents of Alhambra, Azusa, Monterey Park, and Sierra Madre. The District provides the cities with supplemental water from the State Water Project.

Since its founding, the District has continued to expand to serve the needs of its four member agencies and ensure a reliable supply of groundwater in the Main San Gabriel Basin.

Preloader

  • 1959

    Formation of the District was approved by voters in Alhambra, Azusa, Monterey Park and Sierra Madre.

  • 1962

    Became a State Water Contractor responsible for delivering imported water from northern California via the State Water Project to the Main San Gabriel Basin.

  • 1972

    The Devil Canyon-Azusa Pipeline was built to connect to the State Water Project.

  • 1973

    Main San Gabriel Basin Watermaster created by the California Superior Court of Los Angeles County to administer the Basin’s adjudicated water rights and to provide a basin-wide governing body for management of water resources.

  • 1974

    Began delivering water from northern California to supplement local groundwater supplies in the Main San Gabriel Basin.

  • 1985

    Installed 1.05 megawatt hydroelectric power plant at the San Dimas turnout to generate electricity (“green power”).

  • 1993

     San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority established by State Legislature to develop, finance and implement groundwater treatment programs in the San Gabriel Basin.

  • 1995

    Devil Canyon-Azusa Pipeline extended from Azusa to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works’ San Gabriel Canyon Spreading Grounds.

     

  • 2004 – 2005

    $10 million in grants and loans provided to member cities to improve water supply reliability.

  • 2008

    District’s water conservation guru H2Owl introduced on Earth Day.

  • 2012

    Partnered with other major water agencies in the Main San Gabriel Basin to create the educational San Gabriel Valley Water Forum.

  • 2014 – 2017

    Grant received from Department of Water Resources for automated meter reading programs in member cities.

  • 2019

    Commemorated 60 years of providing supplemental water to augment local groundwater supplies.

  • 2020

    • Offered more than $8 million in grants and loans to member cities to enhance operations, fund infrastructure and promote water conservation during Covid-19 pandemic.
    • $1.9 million grant approved for City of Sierra Madre to fund the City’s portion of a joint water well with the City of Arcadia, enabling a direct connection to the Main San Gabriel Basin for the City.
    • Board Approves $2.68 Million to help fund environmental planning for Delta Conveyance Project.

  • 2021

    • The District provides approximately $7 million to support construction of Monterey Park PFAS/PFOA Water Treatment Facility and Sierra Madre Water Main.
    • State Water Project allocations reduced to 5% due to drought.
    • Board approves $500,000 Covid-19 Rate Assistance Program for member cities.

  • 2022

    State Water Project allocations reduced to 5% due to drought.

Regional Connections

PARTNERSHIPS AND RELATIONSHIPS ARE THE CORNERSTONE OF THE DISTRICT’S SUCCESS AND EFFECTIVENESS. Examples of our collaborative efforts include:

  • Foundation of cooperation between member cities – Alhambra, Azusa, Monterey Park, and Sierra Madre
  • Membership in the State Water Contractors Association, which represents the legal, policy, and regulatory interests of the State Water Project contractors
  • Part of the San Gabriel Valley Watermaster, which administers adjudicated water rights and manages groundwater resources within the watershed and Main San Gabriel Basin
  • Represented on the board of the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority (WQA), established by the State Legislature to develop, finance, and implement groundwater treatment programs in the San Gabriel Basin
  • Works with the Raymond Basin Management Board, as its member city, Sierra Madre, draws its water from the basin
  • Coordinates with Los Angeles County Department of Public Works on delivery of water to local spreading grounds in the Main San Gabriel Basin

Our Mission, Vision & Values

Mission Statement

The San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District provides reliable supplemental water for the communities of Alhambra, Azusa, Monterey Park and Sierra Madre in a cost-effective and environmentally responsible manner.

Vision Statement

A leader in water resource management, the San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District will provide a diversified and reliable supplemental water supply for the benefit of the communities we serve.

Our Service Area

The Water District’s service area covers 27 square miles and includes the cities of Alhambra, Azusa, Monterey Park and Sierra Madre. Combined, the District serves a population of more than 200,000 people.

The San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District has five divisions:

  • Division I – northern section of Alhambra
  • Division II – northern section of Monterey Park and the southern section of Alhambra
  • Division III – the remainder of Monterey Park
  • Division IV – Sierra Madre
  • Division V – Azusa

Transparency

2022-23 ANNUAL REPORT
Taking Advantage of Water Supply Improvements
2020-21 ANNUAL REPORT
2019-20 ANNUAL REPORT
2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT
Commemorating 60 Years of Stewardship of our Water Resources
2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT
The New Normal: Meeting our Water Supply Challenges
2016-17 ANNUAL REPORT
 Building a Resilient & Sustainable Water Supply
2015-16 ANNUAL REPORT
 The Value of Water: Essential for Life!
2014-15 ANNUAL REPORT
 Serious Drought: Taking Action to Manage, Conserve and Develop our Water Resources
2013-14 ANNUAL REPORT
Working Together to Manage, Conserve and Develop Our Water Resource
2012 ANNUAL REPORT
Working Together to Manage, Conserve and Develop Our Water Resource
2011 ANNUAL REPORT
Empowering Communities to Manage, Conserve and Develop Our Water Resource
2010 ANNUAL REPORT
Managing, Conserving & Developing Our Water Resource
2008 ANNUAL REPORT
Managing & Conserving Our Water Resource

Financials