Message from the Board President
Recently, you may have seen stories regarding PFOS and PFOA in your local newspaper or online news source. These two man-made chemicals are part of a larger family known as “forever chemicals” or PFAS. Found in many everyday products such as make-up, frying pans, and pizza boxes, these chemicals have shown that over a long period of time, pose a possible health risk. Although the media and the State of California have only recently been reporting on these chemicals, YLWD has been tracking them in our groundwater for several years. We have consistently tested under the existing federal and state advisory level of 70 parts per trillion (equal to a grain of sand in an Olympic size swimming pool).
YLWD’s water comes from two primary sources: imported water from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MET) through their Orange County distributer the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC), and groundwater from the Orange County Water District (OCWD). MET water comes from the Colorado River Aqueduct (CRA) and the State Water Project (SWP) from northern California. OCWD water comes from the groundwater basin underlying north Orange County, MET, rainfall, the Santa Ana River, and the Groundwater Replenishment System, operated by OCWD to purify “pre-used” water for re-use. By increasing our number of active groundwater wells, and upgrading the Fairmont Booster Pump Station, YLWD has made it possible to provide up to 100% of either imported water or groundwater to our district. This has allowed us to provide about 75% of groundwater, which saves about $100 per year for each man, woman, and child in our district over 100% of imported water cost. (See the future cost difference projected in the chart.)
However, the State is contemplating lowering the recommended advisory level for PFAS. If lowered significantly, it may become necessary to further treat our groundwater, which would increase its cost.
In addition to the increasing cost trends shown on the chart, the additional treatment costs for groundwater may cause us to temporarily use only imported water, and may significantly increase the cost of groundwater.
At YLWD, our mission is to “provide reliable water and sewer services to protect public health and the environment with financial integrity and superior customer service.” Rest assured that the first priority for YLWD is to take the steps necessary to protect the health of our customers. For more information regarding our Water Quality Reports or an FAQ sheet on PFOS or PFOS, please visit www.ylwd.com.
Brooke Jones, Board President
Message from the General Manager
On November 11th, our great country will take time to thank our military veterans. It has been said that “freedom is not free.” We enjoy our freedom and peace because of the selfless service and sacrifices of our veterans and their families.
Yorba Linda Water District serves more than 80,000 people with water and wastewater service in the communities of Yorba Linda, Placentia, Brea, Anaheim, and unincorporated Orange County. It is our pleasure to serve and honor our local Veterans in our community. When the custom started of honoring Veterans Day after World War I, much of our population served in our Armed Services. Far fewer personnel serve in today’s military as technology has replaced people, so there are fewer veterans in our community. If you are fortunate to know a veteran or have met a veteran at the City of Yorba’s Veteran Park during the Thursday evening ceremonies; please take a moment and thank them for their patriotism, love of country, and for contributing so much to our way of life.
Yorba Linda Water District is proud to have military veterans on our Board of Directors and as employees. They are committed to serving the public and are exemplary leaders for our staff and community.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and for your continued support. We salute all of our military veterans!
Lieutenant Colonel Marc Marcantonio, US Army Retired, General Manager
In the Community: Water Donation Program
As part of our ongoing commitment to the community, YLWD provides over 32,000 bottles of water to local community groups annually. We have donated bottles of water to school jog-a-thons, non-profit events, and fundraisers.
If you are part of a local group and in need of bottled water, please fill out the request form below.
Note: Bottled water requests considered by the District must be made by non-profit, community organizations located within YLWD’s service area and for events held within YLWD’s service area or for the principal benefit of YLWD customers.
Meet Javier Martinez
For many customers, Javier Martinez is a familiar face for Yorba Linda Water District. Javier has guided tours for hundreds of people in the last several years. As the District’s Water Production Superintendent, he is more than just a tour guide but an integral part of the Water Production Division. Javier oversees water production, SCADA, water quality, backflow, and meter staff.
Javier began his water career seventeen years ago when he was seeking a rewarding profession. Before coming to YLWD, he worked for the City of Upland as a Water Treatment Operator for more than a decade.
Javier joined the District 6 years ago and has been a valuable team member of the Operations Department. Javier and his staff are responsible for all water production for the District. They manage the quantity of water that the District purchases from the Orange County Water District’s (OCWD) groundwater basin and the Municipal Water District of Orange County’s (MWDOC) imported water supply. They monitor water demands and weather conditions around the clock to determine the District’s water production for the day. His division monitors water quality and the infrastructure to treat the water. In addition, the division also is responsible for servicing and reading over 25,000 water meters on a monthly basis.
If you are fortunate to meet Javier out in the field or on a District tour, ask him about the District’s Water Production Division. There is always something new and exciting that his division will handle.
Message from Customer Service
Yorba Linda Water District will be launching a new online bill pay system this winter featuring more options for payment:
- Web Payments
- Paperless Option
- Automatic Payments
- Mobile Payments
- Pay By Text
- Interactive Voice Response Payments
- Bill Payment Reminders
For more information, visit https://ylwd.com/customer-service/bill-payment-options.
Free Landscaping Resources
The Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) invites you to explore beautiful, sustainable, climate-appropriate, drought-tolerant plants, trees, and grass that thrive in Orange County. With a click of a button, add your favorite plants to a private list that you can print and take to your favorite nursery. Visit OC Water Smart Gardens for more information.
The Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) is offering FREE Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) certification classes for landscape professionals this Winter!
Sign up here: https://www.qwel.net/pub/class/96
Upcoming Events
Board of Director Meetings are held every other Tuesday evening at the District’s office located at:
1717 E. Miraloma Ave.
Placentia, CA 92870
Meeting agendas are available 72 hours before each meeting.
Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at 6:30 PM
Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at 6:30 PM
Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at 6:30 PM
Office Closures
The District will be closed on the following days:
Monday, November 11, 2019
Thursday, November 28, 2019
For all water emergencies, please call (714) 701-3000.