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Suburban Water Systems' roots date back to the early 20th century. On
a 300-acre ranch in what is now the City of La Puente, California, Able
Garnier drilled a well in 1925, seeking water for his vegetables and walnut
trees. He struck a source of groundwater so rich that soon he had more
than enough to meet his needs. During one particularly hot and dry summer,
other ranchers noticed that Able’s well continued to yield water
abundantly while theirs were drying up. They appealed to Able for help
and he readily agreed to share his water. When Able Garnier died in 1933,
his son Camille took over the ranch and the water well. In 1946 he formed
the San Jose Hills Water Company to begin selling water to neighboring
farmers and ranchers on a formal business basis. One year later he had
11 customers.
As the post-War population boomed and more people settled
in the San Gabriel Valley to make their homes, the company joined forces
with other nearby water companies to serve more customers. In 1953, the
assets of the water companies were consolidated to form Suburban. In 1966,
twenty years after founding his company, Camille's customer list numbered
over 18,000.
When Camille Garnier died in 1968, management of the company
passed on to his son, Anton C. (Tony) Garnier. Born on the family ranch,
Tony literally grew up in the water business, fixing his first leak at
the age of eight.
Today, Tony Garnier continues as Executive Vice Chairman
of SouthWest Water Company, Suburban's parent company, and now provides
water, wastewater treatment and public works service to more than 2 million
people from coast to coast. SouthWest Water Company was originally incorporated
in California on December 10, 1954 and reincorporated in Delaware on June
30, 1988.
(Photo on top: courtesy of Water Education
Foundation.)
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