SouthWest Water Company recently celebrated 130 years of service in California. This history started at Suburban Water Systems. Our roots trace back to agricultural irrigation at the start of the 20th century, and the service area expanded rapidly after the Second World War when returning soldiers flocked to southern California for jobs and pleasant weather.
What we do in California
Suburban Water Systems, a California corporation, was originally formed on April 15, 1907 as the San Jose Hills Water Company and intended to function as a mutual water company providing water service for agricultural use. San Jose Hills Water Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of California on June 27, 1944 as a public utility. The name was officially changed to Suburban Water Systems on October 23, 1953 and again on July 22, 1982 after some consolidation with other systems.
Suburban Water Systems’ expansive service area covers 43 square miles from Glendora in the north to La Mirada in the south and represents the consolidation of former investor-owned, mutual, and municipal water systems. Communities served are Glendora, Covina, West Covina, La Puente, Hacienda Heights, Walnut, Whittier, La Mirada, and Buena Park, as well as unincorporated Los Angeles and Orange County areas. The combination of these systems has resulted in a large water system with economies of scale that support technical, managerial, and financial capacity and reliability unavailable to smaller water utilities.
Our Service Area
Suburban Water Systems is located in east Los Angeles County and serves safe, reliable, and affordable water to its customers in its San Jose Hills and Whittier/La Mirada service areas.
Suburban Water Systems’ expansive service area covers 43 square miles from Glendora in the north to La Mirada in the south and represents the consolidation of former investor-owned, mutual, and municipal water systems. Communities served are Glendora, Covina, West Covina, La Puente, Hacienda Heights, Walnut, Whittier, La Mirada, and Buena Park, as well as unincorporated Los Angeles and Orange County areas. The combination of these systems has resulted in a large water system with economies of scale that support technical, managerial, and financial capacity and reliability unavailable to smaller water utilities.
What We Do
Our main water source is local groundwater that has been adjudicated along with other groundwater basins in the early 1970s. Suburban Water Systems has substantial water rights holdings in the Main San Gabriel Basin and the Central Basin. Access to these local water rights cost significantly less to produce than purchasing imported water, allowing Suburban Water Systems to maintain very affordable rates. Also, Suburban Water Systems’ extensive customer base allows it to offer rate assistance programs to qualifying economically disadvantaged customers, further reducing bills and increasing affordability.
We are continuously investing in the improvement of our customer service experience, and our customers have access to many convenient service alternatives, including a web portal, automated phone system, local service counters, and a call center located in La Mirada that is staffed with seasoned employees who see it as a privilege to help our customers manage their accounts.
Our Commitment
Suburban Water Systems is dedicated to renewing aging utility assets. Our in-house engineering team delivers projects valued at more than $35M annually, including reservoir recoating and replacement, well drilling, and pump and valve station replacement. In addition, Suburban Water Systems is replacing 1% of its pipelines every year to ensure reliable service to its customers and to minimize water loss through leaks.
We are focused on the safety of our customers and employees and the protection of the environment. As a result, Suburban Water Systems has an excellent safety and environmental compliance record. We have also used our extensive regulatory experience with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to process acquisitions and other required regulatory filings successfully.
Suburban Water Systems is a willing partner ready to provide your community with safe, reliable, and affordable service.
Sativa Water District
For more than a decade, the customers of Sativa Los Angeles County Water District, with an approximately 6,837 population served through 1,643 active service connections, endured poor water quality and service from their water board until East Los Angeles area elected officials courageously acted (AB 1577, Gipson) to dissolve the district and assign Los Angeles County Public Works as an administrator to stabilize the district and find a new owner that would provide excellent service to its customers with affordable rates.
Learn more about our services
Let’s get the conversation started.
Existing customers: Please contact customer service for assistance with billing or other questions.