Pasadena Confronts Its Water Future at Annual Town Hall

[Updated] Pasadena Water & Power will host a virtual Water Town Hall on Wednesday, May 7 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. The event aims to educate community members about their water sources, delivery processes, and PWP’s sustainability measures to ensure reliable, high-quality water services.

The Water Town Hall serves as a centerpiece for May’s Water Awareness Month, an annual outreach campaign highlighting water as a precious resource in Southern California.

PWP’s water system serves more than 160,000 customers across a 26-square-mile service area, encompassing Pasadena and portions of Altadena, East Pasadena, and San Gabriel. In 2023, the utility provided approximately 23,800 acre-feet or 8.6 billion gallons of water to these communities.

About 40 percent of Pasadena’s drinking water comes from the Raymond Basin, a 40-square-mile natural aquifer underlying Pasadena and neighboring cities. This local water originates as rain in the San Gabriel Mountains that percolates into the ground over many months and undergoes natural filtration processes. PWP operates 12 wells that tap into this basin at depths of 300-500 feet, drawing approximately 13 million gallons of groundwater daily.

The remaining two-thirds of PWP’s water supply is imported from the Colorado River and Northern California through its partnership with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD). This water passes through PWP’s infrastructure, which includes 14 reservoirs with a total capacity of 110 million gallons, 19 booster stations, and the Monk Hill Water Treatment Facility, which began service on July 6, 2011.

The City of Pasadena has set a goal to obtain 100% of its electricity from carbon-free sources by 2030. Regarding this ambitious target, David Reyes, Acting General Manager of Pasadena Water and Power, stated: “The City of Pasadena’s goal is one of the most ambitious clean energy targets in the state. As we approach 2030, the urgency of this planning effort is very real for us. E3’s services will help us navigate a path to a carbon-free future that is affordable, equitable, and reliable for our community.” This statement was made in relation to the City’s agreement with Willdan Group, Inc. and Energy + Environmental Economics (E3) to develop an Optimized Strategic Plan for sourcing carbon-free electricity.

PWP is also investing in alternative methods for boosting local water supply, such as recycled water and stormwater capture. Additionally, PWP offers a Hydration Station Program that provides the community with access to safe, great-tasting, high-quality tap water while reducing plastic waste. As part of this program, PWP provides a $1,500 incentive for Pasadena-based organizations and commercial customers to install indoor water bottle filling stations.

In addition to the town hall, PWP is organizing multiple Water Awareness Month activities throughout May, including:

• A “Garden Show and Tell” event running from April 28 through May 31, where community members can share photos of their garden transformations from turf to drought-tolerant landscaping
• “Pop-In to Win” events at Pasadena Farmers Markets on May 3 (Victory Park) and May 6 (Villa Parke), where staff will share water-saving tools and resources
• Preschool Storytime with a Water Treatment Operator
  • Tuesday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
  – Jefferson Branch Library,1500 E Villa St
  – Join us for a water-themed story time filled with stories, songs, crafts, and fun with our PWP crew! For ages 3 to 5 and their caregivers. See a water distribution demonstration and enjoy a water wise craft.

  • “Being Water Wise Is…” Art Contest
  – Submissions due Friday, May 30
  – All K-12 students who reside in PWP’s service territory are encouraged to submit artwork for the annual “Being Water Wise Is…” contest, sponsored by PWP and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Each year, participating students submit artwork portraying a water-wise theme, along with a short message about water conservation. All entries must be submitted with the required forms by May 30, 2025, via email to PWPCommunications@CityOfPasadena.net. Visit PWPweb.com/ArtContest for complete details.

  • Self-Guided Walking Tour of PWP-Sponsored Community Demonstration Gardens
  – Follow a self-guided tour map of unique gardens that demonstrate the beauty and diversity of drought-tolerant, native plant landscapes. Learn about water efficient landscaping and water capture features like hügels, berms and swales, dry streams, and rain barrels. A digital map is available online at PWPweb.com/TheRippleEffect.

These events are part of PWP’s “The Ripple Effect” campaign, which invites the community to embrace their role as local water stewards. Through this campaign and Water Awareness Month activities, PWP aims to educate residents about the importance of water conservation and sustainability in Southern California.

People who want to join in the town hall via Zoom with Webinar ID 881 9103 4061 or by calling (669) 444-9171. Those requiring accommodation assistance can contact (626) 744-7311 or email CSC@CityOfPasadena.net.

For more information about the Water Town Hall or other Water Awareness Month events, visit PWPweb.com/Events.