[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 115 (Wednesday, July 10, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E886]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE AROMAS WATER DISTRICT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JIMMY PANETTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 10, 2019

  Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Aromas 
Water District as they celebrate their 60th anniversary. For 60 years, 
the Aromas Water District has dedicated itself to the enrichment of our 
community on the central coast of California by serving the water needs 
of the greater Aromas area.
   The Aromas Water District was established on July 24, 1959 by a 
Resolution of the State of California, Office of the Secretary of 
State. It was formed as a County Water District and ultimately became a 
California Multi-County Special District. Originally there was one 
well, one storage tank and a small distribution system serving less 
than 150 parcels. In the past 60 years, the District has grown to serve 
our expanding community and now serves approximately 3,000 people on 
over 900 parcels, utilizing three wells, 35 miles of distribution 
system, and nine storage sites with over 1,200,000 gallons of water 
storage and fire protection.
   The District is governed by an elected five-member, at large, board 
of directors. Community members serving on the Board of Directors of 
the Aromas Water District have helped successfully usher in the latest 
improvements in their treatment plants, like the removal of iron and 
manganese from the water source. The rigorous water testing is 
conducted under the oversight of the State Water Resources Control 
board and successfully meets all health and safety standards.
   I am proud to say that the District is continually striving to 
educate our community on the benefits of water conservation and aquifer 
protection. One of the ways they accomplish this goal is by maintaining 
a drought-tolerant demonstration garden at the District's office. 
Visitors from the local community are shown how drip irrigation reduces 
water loss and permeable gravel paths encourage groundwater recharge 
and rain water catchment, all while achieving this without the use of 
herbicides or pesticides. This garden is in downtown Aromas and is open 
and easily accessible to the public year-round.
   The District is proud to have consistently served high-quality water 
to customers in both Monterey and San Benito counties for the last 60 
years, as well as moving forward into the future. Madam Speaker, it is 
my pleasure to recognize the Aromas Water District for their service to 
the Central Coast on the occasion of their 60th Anniversary.

                          ____________________