Annual Santa Ana River Water Quality Monitoring is Complete
Each year in August, Orange County Water District’s (OCWD; the District) Water Quality Department performs comprehensive water quality monitoring of the Santa Ana River and its tributaries. The water quality staff travel upstream to more than 20 different locations in San Bernardino, Riverside, Chino, Corona, and many other cities in the upper watershed to collect water samples representing the baseflow conditions for the Santa Ana River. The information and water quality obtained during this extensive monitoring event is used by OCWD to assess water quality of the Santa Ana River baseflow conditions. The water quality data will also be provided to other agencies such as the United States Geological Survey, Regional Water Quality Control Board, and Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority.
Throughout the year, OCWD performs continuous water quality monitoring of many sites along the Santa Ana River on monthly, quarterly and annual frequencies. The water quality monitoring has been established to ensure the safety of this important groundwater replenishment resource. The different types of water quality monitoring performed along the Santa Ana River includes testing for minerals and salts such as iron, manganese and chloride. The testing also includes volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (solvents and pesticides). In addition, OCWD performs monitoring of constituents of emerging concern such as pharmaceuticals and hormones.
The OCWD water quality monitoring program on the Santa Ana River is a pro-active program that was developed to ensure protection of public health. In addition to the continued in-house water quality expertise, OCWD regularly convenes an Independent Scientific Advisory Panel to assist in guiding the water quality monitoring and operations involved with groundwater recharge of water from the Santa Ana River.