Los Angeles, Calif. – Today, Congresswoman Hilda L. Solis (CA-32) sponsored the 2006 San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Forum to discuss water quality and reliability issues in the San Gabriel Basin. Topics addressed included the water contamination levels in the Basin and the status of clean-up efforts, as well as state and federal support for these efforts. 

“The San Gabriel Basin cleanup is good public and economic policy. But the Basin is years away from being cleaned up and access to safe drinking water secured,” said Congresswoman Solis. “It’s time for California to close the funding shortfall, get the basin cleaned up and ensure a safe and reliable source of drinking water for local residents.”

Solis, the Ranking Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials, has introduced legislation (H.R. 213) to require the EPA to establish a national perchlorate standard.

Speakers at the forum include representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, California Department of Health Services, California Department of Toxic Substances and Control, Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board and the San Gabriel Valley Water Providers. 

The San Gabriel Groundwater Basin covers more than 160 square miles and it is the principal source of drinking water for more than 1.4 million people. Large portions of the Basin are contaminated and numerous drinking water wells in the San Gabriel Valley have seen closed.