Posted on April 22, 2024
Monrovia, CA – This quarter’s Civic Publication article discusses the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority’s coordination of the cleanup efforts in the San Gabriel Basin, ensuring continued safe drinking water in the San Gabriel Valley.
Posted on February 22, 2024
Monrovia, CA – For this quarter’s Sustainable California article, Upper District discusses the importance of continuing to support investments in water infrastructure and keeping the rates affordable for the residents of the San Gabriel Valley.
Posted on October 6, 2023
Monrovia, CA – On October 5, 2023, Upper District was honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with its second WaterSense Sustained Excellence Award. Upper District received the award at the WaterSmart Innovations (WSI) Conference and Exposition in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Sustained Excellence Award is the highest honor the WaterSense program provides for its exceptional efforts in assisting residents and businesses save water and bring awareness to the WaterSense program.
Posted on June 20, 2023
Monrovia, CA – On Wednesday, June 18th, the Board of Directors of the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (Upper District) unanimously approved a resolution to continue with Level 2 of its Water Shortage Contingency Plan. This level activates a regional “call to action” to residents of Upper Districts service area for a voluntary 20% reduction in water usage.
Posted on February 22, 2024
Monrovia, CA – For this quarter’s Sustainable California article, Upper District discusses the importance of continuing to support investments in water infrastructure and keeping the rates affordable for the residents of the San Gabriel Valley.
Posted on October 6, 2023
Monrovia, CA – On October 5, 2023, Upper District was honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with its second WaterSense Sustained Excellence Award. Upper District received the award at the WaterSmart Innovations (WSI) Conference and Exposition in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Sustained Excellence Award is the highest honor the WaterSense program provides for its exceptional efforts in assisting residents and businesses save water and bring awareness to the WaterSense program.
Posted on June 20, 2023
Monrovia, CA – On Wednesday, June 18th, the Board of Directors of the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (Upper District) unanimously approved a resolution to continue with Level 2 of its Water Shortage Contingency Plan. This level activates a regional “call to action” to residents of Upper Districts service area for a voluntary 20% reduction in water usage.
Posted on June 20, 2023
Monrovia, CA – For this month’s Civic Leadership article, Upper District discusses the amount of rain the San Gabriel Valley has received from these last few months and how our communities continue to being water efficient.
Posted on June 20, 2023
Monrovia, CA – For this month’s Civic Leadership article, Upper District discusses the amount of rain the San Gabriel Valley has received from these last few months and how our communities continue to being water efficient.
Posted on June 20, 2023
Monrovia, CA – As part of the Department of Water Resources’ Urban Community Drought Relief Grant Program, Upper District, along with other partner agencies, has been awarded grant funding to provide a new water-use efficiency program for selected sites!
Posted on January 17, 2023
Monrovia, CA – For the first time in it’s 63-year history, the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (Upper District) will be led by a woman president following the Board of Directors’ annual board reorganization.
Posted on October 14, 2022
Monrovia, CA – Following a two-year hiatus, the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District is proud to host its annual WaterFest in partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation.
WaterFest is a community outreach event focused on educating residents of all ages on the drought, water conservation and environmental stewardship.
Saturday, October 15, 2022
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Arcadia County Park
405 S. Santa Anita Ave
Arcadia, CA 91006
Posted on October 6, 2022
Monrovia, CA – Today, Upper District was honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with its first WaterSense Sustained Excellence Award. Upper District received today’s award at the WaterSmart Innovations (WSI) Conference and Exposition in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Sustained Excellence Award is the highest honor the WaterSense program provides for its exceptional efforts in assisting residents and businesses save water and bring awareness to the WaterSense program.
“Throughout 2021, our award-winning partners helped people protect this precious resource by promoting WaterSense labeled products and water-efficient behaviors,” said Veronica Blette, Chief, WaterSense Branch. “Saving water is particularly critical in areas impacted by drought but is also a path to helping consumers stretch dollars by reducing their water and energy bills.”
Posted on October 3, 2022
Through this program, Upper District provides funding of up to $1,000 for water related projects. Projects must focus on subjects that further students’ understanding of water stewardship, water use-efficiency, and groundwater sustainability in a unique and meaningful way.
Posted on May 11, 2022
Monrovia, CA — Residents of the San Gabriel Valley are being asked to conserve 20 percent of their household water use and limit outdoor watering to two days a week under an unprecedented action taken today by the Board of Directors for the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (Upper District).
The Emergency Water Conservation Program, unanimously adopted today by Upper District’s Board of Directors, applies to the 18 cities and 22 water retailers in the San Gabriel Valley. This action follows Metropolitan Water District’s declaration of a Water Shortage Emergency for the State Water Project (SWP) dependent areas which requires SWP dependent areas to immediately cut water use by June 1, 2022.
Under the Emergency Water Conservation Program, the General Manager will continue to work with Metropolitan to implement the volumetric option for Upper District’s service area. Additionally, the Program will reinforce the actions under Upper District’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan – Level 2 and require robust conservation efforts for the region. The resolution calls for a 20 percent water use reduction and limits outdoor irrigation to two days per week for all Upper District’s retail water agencies.
Posted on March 18, 2022
Adel Hagekhalil, general manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, issues the following statement on the California Department of Water Resources’ announcement to decrease the State Water Project allocation to 5 percent.
“California is seeing drought conditions like we’ve never seen before – simply put, nature has changed faster than anything we expected. Today’s announcement by the state is another stark indicator of our increasingly stressed water supply and the gravity of the situation we are facing. On average, 30 percent of the water we use in Southern California comes from the State Water Project. But through three years of low allocations, we’re getting a fraction of what we used to receive – lower deliveries than any time in history.
Posted on March 13, 2022
SACRAMENTO — After California recorded its driest January and February in more than 100 years of records in the Sierra Nevada, Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration is spending an additional $22.5 million to respond to the immediate drought emergency.
The additional $22.5 million allocation includes more funding for the Department of Water Resources, State Water Resources Control Board and the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
More than a third of the money – $8.25 million – will be used to increase outreach efforts to educate Californians on water conservation measures and practices.
UPPER San Gabriel valley municipal MWD Board of Directors announces reorganization and appointed delegates
Posted on February 24, 2022
MONROVIA, CA – The Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (Upper District) Board of Directors has conducted its annual selection of officers and made appointments to several regional agencies. Director Ed Chavez was appointed to a sixth year as Board President.
“I have the distinct honor of continuing to represent the San Gabriel Valley communities as the Upper District board president,” Board President Ed Chavez said. “Together, with my fellow board members, I will continue to progressively approach water conservation, and make water supply investments today to ensure a healthy and sustainable groundwater basin for years to come.”
UPPER DISTRICT BOARD DIRECTORS AND STAFF MOURN THE LOSS OF DUARTE MAYOR BRYAN URIAS
Posted on October 25, 2021
Posted on October 18, 2021
Monrovia, CA — Conserve-a-palooza has returned for a second year as the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (Upper District) ramps up its drought messaging and educates residents about the importance of continuing to conserve water. Conserve-a-palooza is a five-week online program where residents within Upper District’s service area have an opportunity to win free water-use efficiency devices by answering conservation related trivia questions promoted on social media. The program will begin October 18th and will end the week of November 15th.
The trivia will be posted on Upper District’s social media platforms – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn – at the beginning of each week. Trivia questions will involve firescaping, landscaping with native plants, eliminating water waste, and trusting your tap. Residents who are interested in playing will have until Thursday of every week to complete the trivia, in which three participants will be randomly selected as winners and announced every Friday by an Upper District Board Director.
Partnerships and sharing of resources are more important now more than ever as California undergoes another drought. To increase community awareness about current conditions and share valuable information from other agencies, Upper District is excited to partner with the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District and the Main San Gabriel Basin Watermaster. Additionally, as an EPA WaterSense Partner, Upper District will incorporate WaterSense tips and resources made available to the public. Every week a new topic will be introduced and a “Water Smart Minute” video will be released that involve topics like “Waters that Connect Us” or eliminating breeding spots for mosquitos.
Posted on October 7, 2021
Monrovia, CA – For a third consecutive year, the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (Upper District) was honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a 2021 WaterSense Partner of the Year. Upper District received the distinguished award for its exceptional efforts in assisting residents and businesses to save water. Upper District received today’s award at the WaterSmart Innovations (WSI) Conference and Exposition in Las Vegas.
The EPA highlighted Upper District’s creative outreach efforts to promote water efficiency in 2020 despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Upper District remained committed to educating its residents on the importance of water use efficiency while adapting its outreach strategies to virtual engagement.
“In 2020, our WaterSense partners continued to make saving water possible by educating consumers and businesses about WaterSense and water-efficient behaviors,” said Veronica Blette, the WaterSense program manager. “Our award winners’ creative and committed approaches to water conservation helped consumers save water, energy, and money on their utility bills at a time when they needed it most.”
Posted on September 13, 2021
MONROVIA, CA – The Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (Upper District) is pleased to announce the opening of the application process for the Water Education Grant Program (WEGP) for the 2021/2022 school year. This grant program is open to all K-12 teachers at any licensed school within Upper District’s service area.
Through this program, Upper District provides funding of up to $1,000 for water related projects. Projects must focus on subjects that further students’ understanding of water stewardship, water use-efficiency, and groundwater sustainability in a unique and meaningful way.
The first round of WEGP applications for the 2021/2022 school year are due by 4:00 p.m. November 12, 2021. Completed applications must be saved and submitted as a PDF document. Hardcopy (paper) applications will not be accepted. Please see application for complete details, conditions, and guidelines which can be accessed by visiting www.upperdistrict.org/education-programs/.
Posted on August 26, 2021
Monrovia, CA – The Board of Directors of the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (Upper District) announced the winners of the 2021 “Water is Life” student art contest. Every year students are encouraged to express what water means to them by incorporating water conservation and stewardship in their artwork. 20 students from schools within the San Gabriel Valley were awarded prizes and certificates recognizing their achievements. Members of the students’ families and teachers were invited to celebrate the creativity and talent demonstrated by the students.
This is the 16th year that Upper District has hosted the “Water is Life” art contest introduced by Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Metropolitan). This youth program helps raise awareness about the importance of water conservation and increases students’ appreciation for our water resources in an artistic and interactive way that engages the imagination.
Posted on August 25, 2021
Monrovia, CA — The Board of Directors of the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (Upper District) unanimously approved a resolution activating Level 2 of its Water Shortage Contingency Plan. This level activates a regional “call to action” to residents of the San Gabriel Valley for reduced water usage in light of the worsening drought conditions.
While the San Gabriel Valley is not currently under Governor Newsom’s emergency drought declaration, this resolution supports the Governor’s call to reduce water usage consumption by 15 percent. This action also follows a Condition 2 – Water Supply Alert issued by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Metropolitan), which called on all its member agencies to implement voluntary conservation measures to preserve the region’s water storage reserves.
“As we continue to navigate the dry years ahead and protect our existing water supplies, it’s imperative our residents continue using water efficiently in our daily activities,” stated Upper District Board President Ed Chavez. “We’ve been down this dry road before, and we are more aware of how to conserve and use water more efficiently.”
Posted on June 22, 2021
California’s dry climate and rising temperatures continue to threaten our local hillsides with the likelihood of more wildfires. Historically, the 10 most costly wildfires in U.S. history have all occurred in California — the top two in the last three years. In the San Gabriel Valley, the Bobcat and Ranch2 fires burned thousands of acres of the San Gabriel River Watershed and affected residents along the foothill cities. Since then, it has become a priority of the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (Upper District) to provide pertinent information and resources on how residents can safeguard their homes using the latest “firescaping” methods.
Upper District Directors Anthony Fellow and Jennifer Santana are taking the lead by hosting a “Firescaping the Foothills” townhall for residents living in Arcadia, Azusa, Bradbury, Duarte and Monrovia. Upper District is also pleased to announce that California American Water and the cities of Arcadia, and Monrovia are providing assistance in hosting this townhall. The virtual townhall will include a current update on the water supply conditions of the San Gabriel Valley and California at large as well as a presentation on how residents can protect their property from wildfires.
Posted on June 16, 2021
Though the pandemic kept Southern California students from competing in person, more than 300 students from 16 high schools throughout the region participated in the virtual 2021 Solar Cup, which featured challenges that tested students’ technical, engineering and creative skills.
The competition culminated in a virtual awards ceremony Thursday evening, when students were recognized for first, second and third place honors in each of 10 challenges conducted over the last five months. Among those winning awards in numerous challenges were Lennox Academy in Inglewood, Chino Hills High School, Cabrillo High School in Long Beach, St. Anthony High School in Long Beach, Centennial High School in Corona, Mountain View High School in El Monte, and Downey High School. A full list of winners is available here.
Posted on June 9, 2021
Adel Hagekhalil, a national water and infrastructure leader, will take the helm of the nation’s largest drinking water provider – the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California – following a vote Tuesday evening by the agency’s board of directors. The 38-member board approved Hagekhalil’s contract, making him the 14th general manager in the district’s 93-year history.
“Mr. Hagekhalil is a highly respected leader on wastewater and water reuse who will help Metropolitan continue on its path to invest in sustainable water supplies. His commitment to innovation, sustainability and working together, as a united Metropolitan board, will be critical as we face the challenges climate change is bringing to Southern California’s water supplies,” Chairwoman Gloria D. Gray said.
Posted on June 4, 2021
Monrovia, CA — The Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (Upper District) is proud to announce the launch of its new conservation program, Water Smart Home! As an EPA WaterSense Partner, Upper District has taken great strides in promoting water efficiency throughout its service area. Through the creation of this new program, the Upper District Board of Directors continue their leadership in offering innovative and accessible conservation programs to their residents.
“Getting conservation items into as many homes as possible will help us achieve greater lifetime water savings in the region,” said Upper District President Ed Chavez. “This program targets our service area’s low-income communities that may need greater assistance and access to these water-saving devices. We encourage our residents to take part in this program.”
Posted on June 1, 2021
Monrovia, CA — Dr. Anthony Fellow, board director for the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (Upper District), presented Dr. Greg Gero, principal of Plymouth Elementary School, with a $1,000 grant for the school’s water-wise vegetable garden. This grant is one of 22 water-related school projects awarded under the Upper District’s Water Education Grant Program (WEGP).
Every year, WEGP provides funding of up to $1,000 for educators to help implement water projects and programs into their classroom curriculum. Any K-12th grade school within Upper District’s service area is eligible to apply for a grant. Projects must focus on water-related subjects that further students’ understanding of environmental issues, water sustainability, and the vital role water plays within our region and State. This year the Board of Directors awarded over $16,500 to help fund 22 classroom projects throughout the San Gabriel Valley.
Posted on February 9, 2021
Three new directors representing the cities of Fullerton and Santa Ana as well as the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District were seated today on the board of directors of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Fullerton City Councilmember Fred Jung replaces Adan Ortega, who served on the 38-member board for the last year. Santa Ana City Councilmember Thai Viet Phan succeeds Jose Solorio, who was the city’s representative since February 2019. Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District board member Dr. Anthony Fellow will replace three-year director Charles Treviño.
“It is my pleasure to welcome my new colleagues to the Metropolitan board,” said board Chairwoman Gloria D. Gray. “They bring a breadth of expertise and experience, and diverse ideas that will help us address some of the most pressing challenges we face to Southern California’s water reliability. I look forward to working with them.”
Posted on December 9, 2020
MONROVIA, CA – The Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (Upper District) conducted its first meeting under a new governing board following the oath ceremony for Board Directors Ed Chavez, Charles Treviño, and Katarina Garcia. District Counsel administered the oath of office to the newly elected directors via teleconference. Although the oaths were conducted through Zoom, which has become synonymous with the pandemic, congratulatory remarks and local support remained unchanged. Upper District’s water retailers, agency staff and local elected officials attended the meeting to welcome the incoming board members.
Posted on October 26, 2020
Monrovia, CA —Developing new and innovative ways to engage residents of all ages about the importance of water conservation is a priority for the Board of Directors at the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (Upper District). Usually in October, Upper District’s hosts its annual WaterFest for the community, however in light of the stay-at-home orders the Board of Directors is bringing conservation to the residents with a new online conservation program, Conserve-a-palooza.
Conserve-a-palooza is a five-week program where residents within Upper District’s service area have an opportunity to win free water-use efficiency devices by completing a short conservation quiz via social media. The program will begin October 26 and will end the week of November 30. The quiz will be posted on Upper District’s social media platforms – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn – at the beginning of each week.
Posted on October 13, 2020
Gloria D. Gray was unanimously reelected today as chairwoman of the board of directors of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. She will begin her second two-year term on Jan. 1, 2021. Gray has represented West Basin Municipal Water District on Metropolitan’s board since 2009 and was first elected by her colleagues as chairwoman in October 2018.
“I have worked hard over the past two years to bring a new voice and spirit of collaboration to our board,” Gray said following her reelection. “We have some far-reaching decisions on the immediate horizon, decisions that will shape Metropolitan for years to come. I am grateful to have the opportunity to lead our board as we find our path forward.”
Posted on October 9, 2020
Monrovia, CA —The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced this week that the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (Upper District) has been honored with the 2020 WaterSense Partner of the Year Award for its heroic efforts to defeat water waste and promote WaterSense in 2019.
Upper District was honored as a 2020 WaterSense Partner of the Year winner for spreading the water-efficiency message through public education and awareness while transforming the marketplace to include WaterSense labeled products. Upper District’s noteworthy efforts included initiating a collaborative effort to translate some of the WaterSense materials into Mandarin. Upper District also engaged the commercial sector through water-smart landscape equipment retrofits and offering new workshops on finding and fixing leaks for San Gabriel Valley businesses. Financial incentives for WaterSense labeled products in Upper District’s service area included rebates for approximately 400 tank-type toilets, over 200 flush valve toilets, and nearly 400 weather-based irrigation controllers.
Posted on May 13, 2020
MONROVIA, CA – The Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (Upper District) has unveiled a new and improved website to better serve the communities of the San Gabriel Valley and its water retailers. Upper District partnered with Civic Publications, Inc. and Madmen Marketing Consultants to create a modern and user-friendly website with updated content, streamlined navigation, and accessibility. The Board of Directors proudly unveiled the new site this morning and can be viewed at www.upperdistrict.org.
“We are excited to introduce our redesigned website for our residents and water producers. The website redesign was a goal set during our strategic planning process, and we are pleased to present this new site to our stakeholders. We are confident that the new site will allow our stakeholders greater accessibility to important information, educational resources, and community updates” said Ed Chavez, President of the Upper District Board of Directors.
Posted on May 11, 2020
The novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19, does not impact the quality and supply of your local tap water. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19 is transmitted person to person, not through water. Your water is both safe and available by turning on the tap. There is no need to stockpile water bottles, for fear of restricted water supplies. Emergency preparedness encourages a 2-week supply in the case of a major disruption in water sources; however, in this situation emergency water supplies are not a concern.
Posted on March 11, 2020
What’s scarier than a malevolent clown under your bed? More tragic than the story of Romeo and Juliet? More offensive than a comedian with terrible jokes? Wasting water. That is the message of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s new digital and social media campaign “Wasting Water Is…”
As part of Metropolitan’s continued efforts to encourage Southern Californians to use water efficiently, the series of commercials spotlights what happens when three water-wasters get caught in the act and learn how scary, tragic and offensive wasting water really is. The video spoofs are being advertised on YouTube and connected TV devices such as Apple TV, Chromecast and Roku, targeting entertainment, lifestyle and sports shows.
Posted on December 12, 2019
MONROVIA, CA – The Board of Directors of the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (Upper District) awarded 19 education grants totaling $13,413 to K-12th grade classrooms as part of the 2019/20 Water Education Grant Program (WEGP).
Posted on December 12, 2019
MONROVIA, CA – Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (Upper District) is proud to announce two San Gabriel Valley student art submissions were selected to be featured in the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s 2020 “Water is Life” student art calendar.
Posted on October 9, 2019
MONROVIA, CA – The Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (Upper District) will host its annual water awareness event, WaterFest, on Saturday, October 12th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Arcadia County Park located at 405 S. Santa Anita Ave., Arcadia. WaterFest focuses on educating the public on the importance of water sustainability through environmental stewardship by utilizing interactive exhibits and activities for residents of all ages. For over 10 years, Upper District has hosted this event in partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Parks & Recreation.
Posted on October 3, 2019
Las Vegas, Nevada — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (Upper District) with a 2019 WaterSense Partner of the Year Award for its heroic efforts to defeat water waste and promote WaterSense in 2018. Upper District received one of 25 WaterSense awards today at the WaterSmart Innovations Conference in Las Vegas.
Posted on May 15, 2019
MONROVIA, CA – Today the Board of Directors for the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (Upper District) honored 20 San Gabriel Valley students who submitted award-winning entries to our annual “Water is Life” art contest. The art contest helps raise awareness about conservation and educates students about the importance of preserving our most precious resource.
Posted on May 3, 2019
MONROVIA, CA – Today, the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (Upper District) held a ribbon cutting for two recently installed water bottle fill stations at the California School of the Arts, San Gabriel Valley, located in Duarte, CA. Upper District partnered with California American Water, the local retailer, to install the two units with the goal of reducing plastic bottle waste and promoting the benefits of drinking from our local water supply.
Posted on March 22, 2019
“Locally our Groundwater basin remains at record lows, we need to work together to replenish the basin and use water efficiently.” #OneBasinOneSGV
California had a wet November, a moist December, an absolutely drenched January and February, and so far a fairly watery March. Los Angeles exceeded its average annual rainfall a month ago, less than halfway into the “water year” (which runs from October through the following September). The Sierra snowpack is at more than 150% of average. The state is soaked.
Posted on March 1, 2019
MONROVIA, CA – Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (Upper District) launches the region’s first ever Residential Plant Voucher Program to residents within its service area. Keeping with the District’s core value of providing innovative solutions to water conservation, the goal of the program is to incentivize residents to transform their landscapes with drought-tolerant plants and develop water-efficient gardening practices.
Posted on February 11, 2019
MONROVIA, CA – The Board of Directors of the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (Upper District) awarded 16 education grants totaling $14,642 to K-12th grade classrooms within the Upper District service area under the 2018/2019 Water Education Grant Program (WEGP).
Historically, Upper District’s Education Grant Program provides funding of up to $1,000 for educators to help implement water projects and programs into their classroom curriculum. Any K-12th grade educator that teaches at a licensed school within Upper District’s boundaries is eligible to apply for a grant. As a qualifying standard, submitted projects must focus on water-related subjects that further students’ understanding of environmental issues, water sustainability, and the vital role water plays within our region and the State of California.