Thousands Attend 7th Annual WRD "Treasure Beneath Our Feet" Groundwater Festival For Water Awareness And Conservation Information

LAKEWOOD, Calif., March 19, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Water Replenishment District of Southern California (WRD) hosted its 7^th Annual "Treasure Beneath Our Feet" Groundwater Festival on Saturday, March 15^th, 2014, at its headquarters in Lakewood, California.  Thousands of people enjoyed the Festivals 40 environmental exhibits, fun and educational activities, and useful and practical information.

"As we strive to become independent from imported water, conservation and use of local water resources become increasingly important," said WRD Board President Rob Katherman. "The Groundwater Festival offers the public a unique opportunity to learn about these efforts first-hand by meeting and talking with our extremely knowledgeable exhibitors and with WRD's own staff of engineers, hydrogeologists, and water quality experts."  

Patrick Healy, long time reporter for NBC4 Southern California, served as the Master of Ceremonies for the WRD Groundwater Ambassador Awards presentation. This year WRD's Board of Directors presented Groundwater Ambassador Awards to Congresswoman Janice Hahn and Assemblyman Anthony Rendon. Both leaders were honored for their attention to local water issues and dedication to ensuring a clean, reliable and affordable source of water for the people of southern California.

"There are no needs more fundamental for human life than water and our environment," said Congresswoman Hahn. "It is vital to protect our water quality because it plays such a large part in our health and quality of life, and I am fortunate to be in a position where I can do something about it. I am incredibly honored that the Water Replenishment District saw fit to recognize my work on these important issues. I thank WRD for this great honor, and I pledge to continue to champion its mission of clean, safe and reliable water for all our communities."

"I support the efforts of the Water Replenishment District to eliminate its demand for water imported from the Bay Delta, and to create a locally sustainable groundwater supply for the 4 million residents of southern Los Angeles County. Water Independence means a lot to all of us in Sacramento who are working hard on water infrastructure and water supply and water reliability," said assembly member Anthony Rendon. 

Also honored at this year's Festival were the winners of the WRD Student Art Competition.  Twelve students from throughout WRD's 43 city service area received recognition for their beautiful water related posters.

The Annual WRD Groundwater Festival celebrates National Groundwater Awareness Week, and is made possible through the generous support of WRD's sponsors and partners.  For more information please visit www.wrd.org.

The Water Replenishment District of Southern California is the regional groundwater management agency that protects and preserves the quantity and quality of groundwater for two of the most utilized urban basins in the State of California. The service area is home to over ten percent of California's population `residing in 43 cities in southern Los Angeles County. WRD is governed by a publicly elected Board of Directors which includes Willard H. Murray, Jr., Robert Katherman, Lynn V. Dymally, Sergio Calderon, and Albert Robles.

For more information, please visit WRD at www.wrd.org

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SOURCE Water Replenishment District of Southern California