CARSON, Calif. – During a special board meeting on September 7, 2016, the West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin) Board of Directors presented State Senator Ben Allen (D – Santa Monica) with its 2015 Legislator of the Year award. The annual award recognizes legislators who help the water industry and West Basin to provide more reliable water supplies through legislation and advocacy.

“Senator Ben Allen deserves this recognition for his commitment to water issues and an open door policy to discuss and understand local water supply needs,” said West Basin Board President Carol W. Kwan. “Support from our state representatives is essential during this severe ongoing drought and as we continue to provide our communities with a reliable water future.”

In representing the 26^th Senate District, serving the Westside, Hollywood and South Bay communities of Los Angeles County, Sen. Allen is a member of the Natural Resources and Water Committee, the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, and the Transportation and Housing Committee among other committees.

Sen. Allen’s efforts on behalf of key water issues, including serving as the keynote speaker at West Basin’s 2015 water issues forum held in Culver City, Calif., have been vital to West Basin’s Water Reliability program. As part of this ongoing program, West Basin aims to reduce dependence on imported water and increase regional self-reliance by developing local, drought-proof water supplies.

Through its programs, West Basin will continue to expand water recycling and conservation efforts, desalt groundwater and explore ocean water desalination as a potential drinking water supply. For more information on West Basin’s Water Reliability program, visit www.westbasin.org.

West Basin Municipal Water District Board of Directors Honors Senator Ben Allen as Legislator of the Year for his ongoing commitment to local water issues. Pictured from left: Director Don Dear, Division V; Director Gloria Gray, Division II; Senator Ben Allen, 26^th Senate District; Director Carol Kwan, Division III; and Director Scott Houston, Division IV. Not pictured: Director Harold Williams, Division I.

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West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin) is a wholesale water agency that provides imported drinking water to nearly one million people in 17 cities and unincorporated areas in Los Angeles County. West Basin is an industry leader in water recycling, conservation, and water education. West Basin is currently implementing a Water Reliability program to reduce the agency’s dependence on imported water and develop drought-proof local water supplies. The program includes water recycling, water conservation, groundwater desalting and ocean water desalination. Visit www.westbasin.org to learn more.