A day after federal officials announced $159 million in funding for a trio of Southern California water-resiliency projects, the city of Los Angeles celebrated Wednesday $30 million coming in to support a groundwater replenishment project.
Sen. Alex Padilla, D-California, and Reps. Grace Napolitano and Nanette Barragán, both D-Los Angeles, made the announcement Tuesday at an under-development water-recylcing facility in Carson that is named after Napolitano. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the nation’s largest municipal water and electric utility, was among three recipients to receive federal funding from the Bureau of Reclamation.
LADWP was awarded $30 million for the Los Angeles Groundwater Replenishment Project, one of multiple projects expected to dramatically reduce the L.A.’s dependence on purchased, imported water.
Janisse Quiñones, LADWP’s CEO and chief engineer, said in a statement Wednesday the grant is a significant milestone for the agency.
“Our shared commitment for a resilient and sustainable water future is unwavering, and today demonstrates that collaborative spirit,” Quiñones added.
The recently announced funding is from the Bureau of Reclamation’s Large-Scale Water Recycling Program, which will provide $450 million over the next five years to large water recycling projects in the Western region. Large-scale recycled water projects will play an important role in establishing a local drought-resilient water supply helping to preserve this precious resource amid water scarcity, officials said.
According to DWP, the $750 million groundwater replenishment project is intended to recycle 100% of available wastewater from L.A. Sanitation and Environment’s Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant to produce nearly 7 billion gallons per year of purified recycled water for replenishment of the San Fernando Groundwater Basin, helping produce enough drinking water for more than 250,000 residents in the city annually.
The water department is expected to provide funds to LASAN for the construction of the recycled water facilities needed at the Tillman plant, including an Advanced Water Purification Facility.
DWP staff will present soon to the Board of Water and Power Commission an overview of the finalized design and a recommendation on next steps for construction and completion of the project.