Date: March 9, 2004

County’s watershed management programs receive
ISO certification for environmentally friendly services

SAN JOSE — The Santa Clara Valley Water District's watershed operations achieved a major milestone today, receiving certification to world-class quality and environmental management standards ISO 9001:2000 and ISO14001.

The environmental and quality management standards, set up by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), require an organization to demonstrate effective implementation of management systems focused on meeting or exceeding customer expectations while protecting and/or enhancing the environment.

"Receiving ISO 14001and 9001 certification is a tremendous accomplishment. It recognizes the water district’s continuing commitment to sound environmental management practices aimed at protecting and enhancing the environment, promoting the efficient use of resources and ensuring quality for the community,” said Stan Williams, the district’s chief executive officer.

The district’s watershed operations encompass flood protection for homes, schools and businesses; programs for clean, safe water in creeks and bays; ensuring restoration and enhancement of creek and bay ecosystems, and developing additional open space, trails and parks along local creeks and in Santa Clara County’s watersheds.

With this application of ISO standards in a public agency, the water district’s watershed operations joins the likes of IBM, Cisco, Hewlett-Packard and numerous other business and industry leaders in Silicon Valley as ISO-registered organizations.

The standards also help organizations continually improve performance with respect to quality of products and services, and impacts on the environment. Adherence to QEMS specifications are closely monitored and are verified through periodic audits by an accredited, third-party registrar.

The Santa Clara Valley Water District manages Santa Clara County's wholesale drinking water resources, coordinates flood protection for its 1.7 million residents and provides stewardship for the county's 10 reservoirs and more than 800 miles of streams.