On November 17, 2004, the Water Replenishment District of Southern California (WRD) celebrates 45 years of managing and safeguarding two of the most utilized groundwater basins in Southern California.
There was never much doubt that the agency was needed. From 1900 through the 1950's, as Southern California slowly developed into a metropolis, water was pumped from the ground with few restrictions. Water levels drastically dropped causing some wells to go dry and threatening future water supplies. Lower water levels also resulted in seawater intrusion as it invaded the groundwater and forced the closure of wells along the coast. It became apparent something had to be done to protect the quantity and quality of water in the basins.
On November 17, 1959, voters in Southern Los Angeles County overwhelmingly approved the formation of the WRD, originally known as the Central and West Basin Water Replenishment District, with an astonishing 80 percent approval. Five Directors were elected to the WRD Board and sworn into office on December 28, 1959.
Today, in part because of the WRD, groundwater levels have risen over the years and seawater intrusion is no longer a threat to the groundwater. WRD is responsible for groundwater replenishment, preventing seawater intrusion, cleaning contaminated groundwater wells and monitoring the water quality. The WRD service area includes 43 cities in southern Los Angeles County and stretches 420 square-miles.
Throughout the years, the WRD has continually worked to improve its operations and the quality of the water. The WRD operates an important groundwater monitoring program, where water from the wells are sampled and tested for water quality.
As for the future, the WRD is working on a critical project that will allow for the storage of more than 160 billion gallons of water underground. When finalized, this significant program will help to offset water shortages for several years, lower the cost of water and improve water quality.
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