Ed Little, a longtime Culver City business owner and former West Basin Municipal Water District board member, has passed away. He was 87.

Little’s involvement in the local water industry began in 1954, when he worked on an election to have West Basin, the water wholesaler for the South Bay, supply Culver City. Little was appointed to the West Basin board in 1989 and retired in May, just prior to completing his fifth term of office. He had also served as a Culver City councilman in the 1960s.

Little graduated from USC in 1950. In 1951, he opened Culver City auto repair shop Ed Little Auto Service, which is still open.

He was noted for advocating the use of recycled waste water and desalinated ocean water, and generally diversifying West Basin’s water portfolio to respond to droughts. In 2007, West Basin named an El Segundo water recycling facility in his honor.

“We are extremely thankful for Ed Little’s dedication, vision and leadership in the water community and at West Basin. His contributions to Southern California’s water reliability,” Donald L. Dear, President of the West Basin Board of Directors, said in a statement.

Little had relocated with his wife, Helen, to Virginia. He died Saturday.

Little is survived by his wife Helen and her daughter Cassandra Nelson, as well as his children Linda Groves, Patti Grammatis, Bob Little; grandchildren Lacey Loveland, Heidi Little, Kosta Grammatis, Steven Little; Rechelle Murillo, Kelli Cartwright, Dylan Waggoner, Brooke Waggoner, Jade Nelson, Jasmine Ramirez (Jonathan); great-grandchildren Kaylie and Olivia Murillo, Corin Cartwright, Mason and Miles Ramirez; brother Robert Little and sister-in-law Ruth Little; and nephews and nieces.