WVWD issues statement on the passing of former Board President Earl Tillman, Jr.

WVWD ISSUES STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF FORMER BOARD PRESIDENT EARL TILLMAN, JR.

RIALTO, CA — West Valley Water District (WVWD) Board of Directors today issued the following statement following the passing of former Board President Earl Tillman, Jr.:

“Earl was a relentless advocate for our community who recognized the central role and importance of water and infrastructure in the Inland Empire’s growth and success. As we follow Earl’s footsteps in upgrading and expanding his flagship Oliver P. Roemer Water Filtration Facility expansion project, we remember, reflect and salute his tireless work on behalf of our community.”

A Rialto resident and leader who served on the WVWD Board of Directors for 17 years, including 10 years as its board president, Tillman earned a strong reputation as a champion for water infrastructure development. He secured millions of dollars to finance WVWD’s rapid expansion and focused his efforts on securing bonds and grants to fund the development of WVWD’s burgeoning water supply and distribution system. He also pioneered the use of advanced water treatment technologies and championed the expansion of the Oliver P. Roemer Water Filtration Facility in 2006. This expansion enabled the agency to treat 14.4 million gallons of water per day. Under his leadership, WVWD also secured a $16.7 million grant for the construction of the first biological water treatment system in the United States for direct potable use, which established WVWD as a water technology leader.

In addition to his duties with WVWD, Tillman worked for the Rialto Unified School District for over 25 years and served on the City of Rialto Planning Commission. An Inland Empire native, Tillman earned an Associate’s degree at San Bernardino Valley College before transferring to California State University, Northridge, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in radio, television and film. Tillman graduated from San Bernardino High School in 1975.

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The West Valley Water District has proudly served the Southern California communities of Bloomington, Colton, Fontana, Rialto, San Bernardino, and Jurupa Valley since 1952. Through name changes and consolidation, the mission has always remained the same: to provide customers with safe, high quality, and reliable water service at a reasonable rate and in a sustainable manner. The District provides water for 83,000 customers and is overseen by a five-member, publicly-elected Board of Directors.