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.

Our Mission

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.

Our Vision

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.

Key Milestones

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.