During a special board meeting on October 3, 2016, the West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin) Board of Directors presented Assemblymember Mike Gipson with its Legislator of the Year award. The annual award is presented to legislators who help the water industry and West Basin to provide more reliable water supplies through legislation and advocacy.
“On behalf of the West Basin Board of Directors, I’d like to thank Assemblymember Gipson for his important work in keeping the community informed about Southern California’s water issues,” said West Basin Board President Carol W. Kwan. “With drought conditions ongoing, West Basin values the support from state assembly representatives as we continue to increase regional self-reliance by developing local, drought-proof water supplies.”
In representing the 64th Assembly District, serving the cities of Carson, Gardena, Harbor Gateway and Torrance, Gipson has taken a leading role in bridging the communication gap between the California State Legislature and his local communities on all issues related to water. In 2015, the year the award recognizes, Assemblymember Gipson formed the 64th District Water Advisory Council, which brings elected officials and water professionals together to discuss key water-related issues, programs and projects.
“I am honored to receive the water district’s Legislator of the Year award,” said Assemblymember Gipson. “I want to thank West Basin for being a trusted agency in our communities, and most importantly, a leader in water conservation prior to and throughout this drought.”
Assemblymember Gipson’s efforts have been vital to West Basin’s Water Reliability Program, which aims to reduce dependence on imported water and replace as much as possible with local, drought-proof water supplies. As part of this ongoing program, West Basin will continue expanding water recycling and conservation, continue groundwater desalting 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.
