August is National Water Quality Month, a time to reflect on the importance of protecting one of our most vital resources: water. Clean water is essential for health, the environment and the economy. Across the country, communities and organizations use this month to raise awareness about challenges facing water systems and the efforts to keep our water safe.
People often take water quality for granted until it’s threatened by pollution, drought, or old infrastructure. This month reminds us that protecting water helps protect our health, ecosystems and future. From testing and treatment to community engagement, water providers play a key role every day.
At Valley Water, that commitment is year-round. Our mission is to provide Santa Clara County with safe, clean water, so every month is Water Quality Month.
From the source
Our water quality efforts begin at the source. Valley Water staff collect samples and data from our reservoirs to monitor water quality. This monitoring is crucial for helping our treatment plants understand the condition of the water before it enters the facilities. We also work with state and local agencies to proactively obtain water quality data for imported water.
At the plants
Before water reaches your tap, it’s treated at one of our three treatment plants: Santa Teresa, Penitencia, and Rinconada. These plants clean and disinfect imported water and water stored in four local reservoirs. Our water treatment plants can produce as much as 220 million gallons of drinking water daily. Learn more about our water treatment process.
We recently completed key upgrades at Santa Teresa, the largest of our three treatment plants. The $20.6 million project replaced 12 large filters essential for cleaning drinking water. Valley Water is also working on upgrade projects at the two other plants. These improvements are part of a long-term plan to maintain and modernize the county’s water treatment infrastructure and continue to deliver safe, high-quality drinking water.
We also operate the Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center, which treats wastewater by using microfiltration, reverse osmosis and ultraviolet light disinfection. The result is water so clean that it meets California’s drinking water standards — though for now, it’s used for non-drinking purposes like irrigation. Through our Purified Water Project, we aim to use this water to help recharge groundwater and support our future water supply.
In the lab
Valley Water’s state-of-the-art lab protects your water by testing samples from treatment plants, reservoirs, and groundwater for nutrients, metals, toxins, and other compounds. These tests ensure we meet or exceed all water quality standards. The lab is accredited with the state’s Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP).
Our lab works hard to meet the highest standards, and it shows. We continue to earn top scores in inspections and lab tests. In May 2025, a state audit confirmed that our lab follows all the necessary requirements, uses well-maintained equipment, and delivers accurate results — meeting the strict requirements of ELAP and The NELAC Institute, which sets national standards for lab testing and quality.
The lab is also accredited to test for 29 PFAS compounds. Visit our website to learn more about our PFAS efforts.
Our team works around the clock to ensure Santa Clara County’s water is of the highest quality. Our treated water consistently meets or exceeds all water quality regulatory standards. We thank our water resource specialists, treatment plant operators and laboratory staff for being dedicated to carrying out that mission. Thank you for all you do!