state mandates on drinking water. City staff and the City Council spent years working to safeguard the health of the community after industrial pollution contaminated many of the region’s groundwater aquifers, Lara said.

“Residents are having to pay their fair share to clean up water they never polluted,” he said, adding the city has joined lawsuits against companies such as 3M and DuPont.

Water Plant #1 at 8739 Gallatin Road in Pico Rivera will get rid of PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, in the local water supply. PFAS levels that have been linked to cancer and other health problems have plagued local water wells in Pico Rivera and numerous other San Gabriel Valley cities.

PFAS, also called forever chemicals, are human-made chemicals often used to make greaseproof, waterproof, nonstick or stain-resistant, and flame-resistant items such as carpeting and nonstick cookware. They do not break down easily in the environment or the human body. PFAS have been linked to health problems, including certain cancers, and can be found in water, soil and air.

“We’re the first city in Southern California to have been issued a license (by the State Water Resources Control Board) to operate our filtration system,” Lara said, adding the city is setting a new water quality and safety standard for communities across the state. The board establishes requirements for water agencies and issued the license in August.

The project involved the construction of advanced water treatment facilities featuring 14 water treatment vessels designed to filter PFAS from groundwater using an ion exchange process, enhancing the safety and purity of Pico Rivera’s drinking water.

Funding for the project came from a combination of federal dollars, as well as money from the Water Replenishment District of Southern California, and funds from the Pico Rivera Water Authority. Sources included a $5.8 million grant from the Water Replenishment District of Southern California; a $2.5 million allocation from the House Appropriations Committee’s 2022 energy and water funding bill, sponsored by Rep. Linda T. Sánchez; and a $7 million allocation from Pico Rivera Water Authority, funded by authority ratepayers.

“Everyone deserves access to safe drinking water,” said Sánchez, D-Norwalk. “We worked tirelessly at the local and federal levels, including securing $2.5 million in federal funds, to keep this vital project moving forward. This state-of-the-art facility will now thoroughly treat our water, eliminate forever chemicals, and ensure that our community has clean water for generations.”