Background

The Southeast Water Coalition Joint Powers (SEWC) was created in July 1991 and is comprised of eleven cities. These agencies formed a joint power authority to improve and protect the quantity and quality of the regional water supply. SEWC's water purveyors service a population of 670,000 in a service area of 93+ square miles.

The SEWC Board of Directors consists of one representative (normally a Councilmember) from each member city. The Administrative Entity acts as a steering committee consisting of one Public Works type staff member from each member city plus three non-voting (advisory) members from the Central Basin Watermaster, Golden State Water Company, and California Water Service (two private utilities serving several member cities).

Mission

SEWC's mission is to prevent the contamination of the Central Groundwater Basin from migrating contaminated groundwater and to encourage good governance of water policies to ensure the availability of reliable, quality, and affordable water.

Member Cities

The SEWC membership consists of the cities of:

• Commerce
• Cerritos
• Downey
• Lakewood
• Norwalk
• Paramount
• Pico Rivera
• Santa Fe Springs
• South Gate
• Vernon
• Whittier

Meetings Held

Board of Directors meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. on the 1st Thursday of even numbered months.

Administrative Entity meetings are held at 3:00 p.m. on the 3rd Thursday of odd numbered months.

Both meetings are currently being held on Zoom.

The City of Vernon is the Lead Agency currently. Whittier was the Lead Agency from July 2018 through June 2020.