INLAND EMPIRE, CA – The Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA/Agency) celebrates August as Water Quality Month. In 2005, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United Nations designated August as Water Quality Month to raise awareness of the importance of water resources and ensure universal access to safe drinking water. IEUA’s dedication to this effort is illustrated through staff’s strict adherence to statewide rules and regulations that meet and exceed standards, resulting in a clean and resilient water supply for the region.
“The Agency’s commitment to environmental principles and national standards not only reinforces our dedication to regulatory compliance, but also strengthens the trust and confidence of our community and stakeholders in the reliability of the services we provide,” said Marco Tule, IEUA Board President. “Staff continues to meet new standards of excellence, demonstrating our commitment to innovative practices that ensure safe and sustainable water resources. I can’t think of a better time to recognize these efforts than Water Quality Month which focuses on the vital need of clean water for individual health, agriculture, and the environment.”
In order to support water quality efforts, IEUA owns and operates a state-of-the-art Water Quality Laboratory that opened in 2018. Spanning over 17,000 square feet, the facility is Gold LEED® Certified for its eco-friendly design and energy efficiency. The building includes six specialized labs and a sample receiving workroom, all dedicated to maintaining high standards of water quality. The lab supports the regulatory requirements of the Agency’s wastewater reclamation plants and Groundwater Recharge Program, playing a crucial role in ensuring safe and sustainable water resources. Annually, up to 20,000 samples are meticulously analyzed to monitor and enhance water quality, safeguarding public health and the environment.
Recently, IEUA’s Water Quality Laboratory fully adopted The NELAC Institute (TNI) standards that are based on the International Organization for Standardization to ensure the highest quality of recycled water. The goal of TNI is to generate high-quality environmental data through an open and transparent process that meets the needs of the community. To achieve this, IEUA’s Water Quality Laboratory restructured operations, focusing on data and process documentation. After months of preparation, an on-site assessment was conducted by the International Accreditation Service in late February, resulting in a successful identification and correction of non-critical audit findings. Adoption of TNI standards has proved to enhance the Laboratory’s data quality, credibility, and operational efficiency.
“The Agency’s dedication to water quality is exemplified by our laboratory’s TNI implementation,” continued Tule. “By embracing such rigorous standards, we foster continuous improvement through regular audits and updates, ultimately positioning ourselves for long-term success in preserving the health of our community.”
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