A new source of water for Southern California
Water is too precious to use just once. So the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is making a major investment in a potential water recycling project that will reuse water currently sent to the ocean.
INTRODUCTION
The Regional Recycled Water Program, a partnership with the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County, will purify wastewater to produce high quality water that could be used again. The program will start with a demonstration facility and could eventually become one of the largest advanced water treatment plants in the world.
HOW IT WORKS
The process begins with wastewater discharged from homes, businesses and industries. After the wastewater has been cleaned and treated, it flows to an advanced water treatment plant where it is further purified. The water then replenishes groundwater basins and is eventually pumped up, disinfected and used again. It could also be delivered to industrial facilities and potentially to Metropolitan’s water treatment plants and delivery system.
THE PROCESS TO PURIFICATION
1
Membrane Bioreactors: Microorganisms remove ammonia and other nitrogen compounds, while membranes filter tiny particles, smaller than 1/100 of a grain of sand.
2
Reverse Osmosis: Pressurized membranes further remove microscopic materials, such as bacteria, pharmaceuticals and salts, eliminating more than 99% of all impurities.
3
Ultraviolet/Advanced Oxidation Process:
Ultraviolet light and a powerful oxidant destroy any remaining viruses and trace chemical compounds.
After wastewater is cleaned and treated through multiple processes, it flows to the Regional Recycled Water Advanced Purification Center where it goes through a three-step purification process. The end result is high quality, purified water that is safe to reuse again.
BENEFITS OF THE PROJECT
The Project helps ensure regional water reliability through diversifying sources, in addition to conservation, local supply development and imported water.
Earthquake
Prepares the Southland for the event of a catastrophic earthquake by
increasing local
water supplies.
Drought
Produces a drought-proof source of water, readily available
rain or shine.
Groundwater
Replenishes groundwater basins, which provide 30% of Southern CA’s water supply and have seen levels drop to historic lows in recent years.
Economy
Helps meet needs of region’s growing economy and population at a cost comparable to other local water resources.
Wastewater
Uses region’s largest untapped source of wastewater, currently sent to the ocean.
STARTING SMALL AND SCALING UP
The Advanced Purification Center is a 0.5 million gallon per day demonstration facility that will generate information needed for the potential future construction of a full-scale recycled water plant. It uses a unique application of membrane bioreactors designed to significantly increase efficiency in water recycling. Scientists and engineers will test the process, utilizing full-scale treatment modules, to ensure the resulting purified water meets the highest water quality standards. Once approved by regulators, this innovative process could be used throughout California and even applied around the globe.
A full-scale regional recycled water program would produce up to 150 million gallons daily, enough to serve more than 500,000 homes. Purified water from the advanced treatment facility would be delivered through 60 miles of new pipelines to the region’s groundwater basins, industrial facilities and two of Metropolitan’s treatment plants.
DEMO FACILITY
Cost: $17 million for construction.
Timeline: Under construction, operations begin spring 2019.
FULL-SCALE Program
Cost: $3.4 billion to build, $129 million annually to operate, resulting in a water cost of $1,830/acre-foot.
Timeline: 16 years to design and build, once approved (if constructed as two phase program).
Milestones in Recycled Water Use
The past five decades have seen recycled water use in Southern California grow rapidly, for both irrigation and groundwater replenishment.
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RESOURCES
News, Brochures, and Presentations
- Regional Recycled Water Program Brochure
- Regional Recycled Water Advanced Purification Center: A Look Inside the Plant
- MWD Board Item 6-B Staff Presentation (March 2019)
- MWD Board Item 6-A Staff Presentation (December 2018)
- Update to Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (December 2018)
- MWD Board Item 6-B Staff Presentation (September 2018)
- MWD Board Item 6-B Staff Presentation (June 2018)
- MWD Board Item 6-B Staff Presentation (March 2018)
- Metropolitan's Press Release - September 18, 2017
- Metropolitan's Press Release - July 12, 2017
- MWD Board Letter 8-3 and Staff Presentation (July 2017)
- MWD Board Item 6-A Staff Presentation (January 2017)
- MWD Board Item 6-B Staff Presentation (August 2016)
- MWD Board Letter 8-3 and Staff Presentation (March 2016)
- MWD Board Letter 8-3 and Staff Presentation (November 2015)
- MWD Board Item 6-C Staff Presentation (October 2015)
- MWD Board Letter 9-1 and Staff Presentation (September 2015)
Videos
Technical Resources
Reports
-
- Conceptual Planning Studies Report Feb. 2019
- Executive Summary
- Full Report
- Appendices
- Feasibility Study Nov. 2016
- 2012 Pilot Study of Advanced Treatment Processes
- Draft Historical Review and 2015 Update
Advisory Panels
- Independent Advisory Panel: Demonstration Project
- Advisory Panel: Feasibility Study
- About the Panel
- Advisory Panel Report on Demo Plant Design
- Advisory Panel Report on Feasibility, Infrastructure, and Groundwater Basins
Approach for Alternative Treatment Technology Acceptance
- Overview of Treatment Process
- Letter to State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water (April 19, 2017)
- State Water Resources Control Board Response (May 31, 2017)
- Testing and Monitoring Plan for Regional Recycled Water Advanced Purification Center Demonstration Project (January 31, 2019)
- Division of Drinking Water Conditional Acceptance of Testing and Monitoring Plan (February 15, 2019)
- Los Angeles and Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Boards Approval of the Testing and Monitoring Plan (March 21, 2019)
ABOUT THE NEW PARTNERSHIP
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a state-established cooperative of 26 cities and water agencies serving nearly 19 million people in six counties. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage and other resource management programs.
The Metropolitan Water District of
Southern California