California American Water Highlights Bass Lake Protection

California American Water is focusing on source water protection in the Bass Lake area of Madera County during the American Water Works Association’s Annual Source Water Protection Week, held September 27 to October 3. The utility serves approximately 720,000 people in California with about 300 employees. Its work in Bass Lake includes watershed awareness, local stakeholder collaboration and monitoring intended to identify risks before they affect drinking water quality. California American Water is a subsidiary of American Water, which serves approximately 14 million people through regulated operations in 14 states and on 19 military installations.

Bass Lake Source Protection

Protecting source water in the Bass Lake area is intended to preserve water quality and support a reliable supply for customers and the surrounding community. American Water’s Source Water Protection Program provides a structured framework for assessing risks, engaging stakeholders and putting proactive measures in place to safeguard drinking water supplies.

More detail on the company’s source water protection efforts, including case studies from its service areas, is available in its source water protection report.

Sarah Leeper, California American Water President, said:

“Protecting our source water is the first step in providing safe, clean, reliable drinking water. From mountain communities like Bass Lake to the many other regions we serve across California, safeguarding our water sources helps ensure high-quality drinking water today and for future generations.”

Community Actions Year Round

The utility is asking residents, visitors, businesses and community partners to help protect lakes, streams and groundwater resources. Its recommended actions include using permeable landscaping surfaces, avoiding chemical applications before rain, keeping litter and waste out of storm drains, selecting less toxic household products, and using collection services for pharmaceuticals and hazardous waste.

Sean Quinn, American Water Source Water Protection Program Manager, said:

“Source water protection is a year-round effort that requires community collaboration. Residents, visitors, businesses and community partners all play an important role in protecting the lakes, streams and groundwater resources that support drinking water supplies throughout California.”

Protecting Local Drinking Water

For Bass Lake’s seasonal and year-round residents, California American Water identified proper disposal of household chemicals, pet waste collection and runoff prevention as practical steps to protect local water resources.