August is Water Quality Month, a time to celebrate the importance of clean water and the efforts made to ensure its safety and availability. Leading this mission is our Water Quality Unit, a dedicated team committed to maintaining and improving water quality for the community.
The engineers at the Water Quality Unit tackle various issues, from emergencies at water treatment plants to customer inquiries about water quality. Their top priority is health and safety, reassuring the public that the water produced is safe.
Engineers might be out in the field on any given day, troubleshooting issues at a water treatment plant or conducting on-site tests. Their work at treatment plants often involves conducting bench-scale tests at the laboratory level, testing different chemical dosages, and measuring the effect under various conditions. These tests are crucial for evaluating how changes in the treatment process can improve water quality. Based on the results, they can design or redesign processes on a larger scale.
In addition to addressing immediate issues, the Water Quality Unit is involved in long-term projects to optimize treatment processes. These projects can range from small-scale improvements to large capital projects, like the Santa Teresa Water Treatment Plant Filter Media Replacement Project. The team is always looking for more beneficial ways to operate the treatment plants, whether by reducing costs, improving safety, or implementing better technologies.
Another critical aspect of the team’s work is ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. This proactive approach allows Valley Water to be poised to comply with requirements ahead of schedule and provide the highest-quality water to our customers.
Valley Water and utilities face numerous challenges, particularly emerging contaminants and invasive species. The Water Quality Unit has been actively addressing the threat of invasive mussels, which can disrupt water sources and infrastructure. The team has developed comprehensive prevention programs and response plans to mitigate these risks. Another significant challenge is the presence of microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water sources. This ongoing work is crucial in ensuring all users’ water remains safe and clean.
The Water Quality Unit’s work directly impacts the community’s health and safety. By ensuring that water quality issues are promptly addressed and treatment processes are continuously optimized, the unit helps maintain public confidence in the safety of the water supply.
As we celebrate Water Quality Month, it’s essential to recognize the vital work of Valley Water’s Water Quality Unit. Their dedication to maintaining and improving water quality ensures we have access to clean water daily.
Valley Water engineers perform bench-scale testing for treatment chemical optimization at one of the water treatment plants. 
Valley Water employees are conducting innovative sampling at the Penitencia Water Treatment Plant. 
Valley Water employees assess a pumping plant vulnerability to golden mussel infestation. 
Valley Water engineers conduct water quality testing at the Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center. 
Valley Water engineers perform jar testing for process optimization at Penitencia water treatment plant. 
Valley Water engineers conduct reverse osmosis membrane pilot testing at the Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center.