Approval of Crucial Collaboration with the Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation Lays the Foundation for a New Drought -Resistant Water Supply
LOS ANGELES (October 30, 2024) – The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), the nation’s largest municipal water and power utility, received unanimous approval from the Los Angeles Board of Water and Power Commissioners to implement the Groundwater Replenishment Program in partnership with the Los Angeles Department of Public Works, Bureau of Sanitation and Environment (LASAN).
One of the largest potable water reuse projects in the state, the Groundwater Replenishment Project, based out of LASAN’s Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant located in the San Fernando Valley, will create a sustainable source of local drinking water for the City of Los Angeles by producing 20-million gallons per day of purified recycled water. Through the project, new facilities will be constructed, utilizing proven technology to produce drinking water that is high quality, safe, and protective of public health for over 250,000 customers.
LADWP Chief Executive Officer and Chief Engineer Janisse Quiñones said, “This is a big day for us and for the City of Los Angeles. We’re committed to being a national and global leader in innovative water management by focusing on three key areas: the safety of drinking water, reliability of water infrastructure, and developing sustainable local water supplies. This Groundwater Replenishment Project reflects our commitment to these objectives.”
Recycled water is a key component to meeting the local water supply goals outlined in the 2020 Urban Water Management Plan, the Los Angeles New Deal, and the Mayor’s Executive Directive 5, which all focus on reducing reliant on imported, purchased water, in favor of investing in local and sustainable water supplies.
“Here in Los Angeles, we understand the serious effects of climate change and through this project, we will build upon the city’s urgent action to develop sustainable infrastructure and build a greener L.A. In partnership with LADWP and LASAN, Los Angeles will continue to be a leader in this important effort,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
LADWP will contribute up to $740 million– more than half of which has been funded through federal, state and local partners– for the construction of new facilities which are necessary to produce and maximize the production of purified recycled water from LASAN’s Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant. The construction includes a 30 MGD (million gallons per day) Advanced Water Purification Facility with full advanced treatment processes; an Equalization Storage Facility; a Maintenance and Warehouse Facility; and the Japanese Garden Effluent Bypass.
“With climate change, we have to reduce our dependence on purchased imported water,” remarked LASAN’s Director and General Manager Barbara Romero. “This project is a long time coming, and it shows the strength of the relationship between LADWP and LASAN, serving as a blueprint to meet our city’s water recycling goals.”
A major financial consideration for the Groundwater Replenishment Program is that LADWP has already successfully secured nearly $400 million in external funding support through federal, state, and local partners. LADWP and LASAN will continue to pursue additional sources of external funding support to reduce ratepayer impacts.
For more information about the Groundwater Replenishment Program, please visit ladwp.com/GWR.
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