The collection consists of files of the former Bureau of Sanitary Engineering of the California Department of Public Health, located in Berkeley, California (now known as the Department of Health Services), relating to water quality.

This collection contains correspondence, articles, press clippings and photographs regarding the professional life of Henry J. Ongerth, who worked for the California Bureau of Sanitary Engineering/California Department of Health. Ongerth was instrumental in water reclamation, Treasure Island clean-up, and Electric & Magnetic Field programs. Agencies mentioned in the collection include the Enviromental Protection Agency and American Water Works Association.