Papers include correspondence, news clippings, memoranda, office files, legal documents, drafts of legislation, and transcripts of hearings. Principal topics include area planning, flood control and drainage, garbage and refuse collection and disposal, sewerage and industrial wastes, water quality management, water resources development (both state and federal), and water supply and distribution.

The following "qualification" material was presented as an EXHIBIT in a case where William O'Connell testified in his capacity as consultant for the Contra Costa County Water Agency. It is included here for the biographical detail.

Copyright has not been assigned to the Water Resources Collections and Archives. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Water Resources Collections and Archives as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

Collection is open for research.