Note: This news release was initially published by LA Department of Public Works.
LOS ANGELES, CA (February 27, 2023)—LA Sanitation and Environment (LASAN) issues Notice to Proceed (NTP) for the Donald C. Tillman Advanced Water Purification Facility (DCT AWPF).
The Board of Public Works has approved the design-build contract for the Advanced Water Purification Facility (AWPF) at Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant (DCTWRP) in December 2022. This AWPF is a joint effort between LASAN and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). It will incorporate advanced treatment processes, including microfiltration, reverse osmosis, and an advanced oxidation process, to purify up to 19 million gallons per day (mgd) of tertiary treated water to water quality levels beyond regulatory requirements for replenishment of local groundwater basins.
“Los Angeles is at the forefront of innovation and state of the art technology in addressing challenges created by climate change, such as drought,” said Mayor Karen Bass. “Sustainability and resiliency are key to addressing climate change and this water reuse project is very much a significant component.”
“It is critical that the City family work together as we strive to address the climate crisis,” said President Aura Garcia, Board of Public Works, “Investing in major collaborative water infrastructure projects like this one helps to propel the City of Los Angeles forward as an environmental leader worldwide.”
“This collaborative effort between LADWP and LASAN is a great example of city agencies working together to make progress toward the City’s water recycling goals,” said Cynthia McClain-Hill. President of the Board of Water and Power Commissioners. “When completed, this project will further strengthen LADWP’s ability to provide its residents and businesses with a safe, reliable, high-quality water supply.”
As one of the largest water reuse projects in the country, this project will recycle wastewater from the DCT WRP to replenish the groundwater basin in the San Fernando Valley, providing the City with a new resilient and sustainable water supply for more than 200,000 residents.
The City of Los Angeles has been using recycled water for over 40 years, and this project builds upon a history of successful partnerships between LASAN and LADWP, including a 12 mgd AWPF at Terminal Island Water Reclamation Plant and a 1.5 mgd AWPF at Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant (HWRP). The DCT AWPF will be the third and largest that the City will construct and operate.
“The DCT project is an exciting next step to address climate change and droughts because it demonstrates the City’s continued commitment to develop local sources of water for our water supply,” said Barbara Romero, Director and General Manager of LASAN.
“This is a major milestone for the city and the region, and we couldn’t be more proud to continue our partnership with LASAN,” said Mr. Anselmo Collins, Senior Assistant General Manager at LADWP and Head of the LADWP Water System. “This project is one of the key strategies to help reduce the purchase of imported water, increase our local water supplies and improve our water reliability; and it could not have come at a more critical time, especially in light of worsening drought conditions in California and the West.”
The design phase of the project will begin in February and construction is expected to begin in two years. By spring 2027 the DCT AWPF will be able to produce highly purified water that will replenish the local groundwater basin via Hansen Spreading Grounds located a few miles away from DCTWRP.
Because of the project’s magnitude and importance in addressing water shortages in Los Angeles, the project has also received funding through the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program. WIFIA fast-tracks investment in U.S. water infrastructure by providing long-term, low-cost loans for regionally and nationally significant water projects.
The DCT AWPF is a partnership effort between LADWP and LASAN on behalf of the City of Los Angeles. Jacobs has been selected by the City as the design-build contractor for the DCT AWPF. The city selected the progressive design-build delivery model to minimize cost, reduce risk, streamline construction and improve schedule performance.
About LA Sanitation and Environment
As the lead agency for the City’s environmental programs and initiatives, Sanitation protects public health and the environment through the administration and management of three program areas: Clean Water (Wastewater), Solid Resources (Solid Waste Management) and Watershed Protection (Stormwater). These infrastructure programs collect, treat, dispose and recycle the solid and liquid waste generated by the nation’s second largest city of more than four million residents. Through these essential Public Works programs, Sanitation delivers a triple bottom line of economic, environmental and social benefits that sustain quality of life in Los Angeles.
About L.A. City Department of Public Works
The Department of Public Works is comprised of five bureaus: Contract Administration, Engineering, Sanitation, Street Lighting, and Street Services, as well as the Offices of the Board, including the Offices of Community Beautification, Filming and Petroleum Administration. More than 6,000 employees are responsible for design, construction, renovation and operation of public projects ranging from bridges to wastewater treatment plants and libraries; curbside collection and graffiti removal; and maintenance of streets, sidewalks, sewers, streetlights and street trees.
The Department is governed by the Board of Public Works (BPW), a five-member full-time executive team that is committed to delivering projects and programs that enhance quality of life, economic growth, public health and the environment to all Angelenos.
For more information, please visit http://bpw.lacity.org.
Media Contact
Public Affairs Office
(213) 978-0333 Main Office | publicworks.publicaffairs@lacity.org
