TITLE
Recommendation to receive and file a presentation on the Pure Water Southern California Project, the project’s pipeline alignment, and benefits. (Districts 8,9)
DISCUSSION
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Metropolitan) and the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts (LACSD) are developing Pure Water Southern California, formerly known as the Regional Recycled Water Program (Program), to purify and reuse wastewater currently discharged to the Pacific Ocean. Due to drought impacts of climate change, the Program aims to enhance the region’s water reliability for future generations and reduce the reliance upon imported water. This new water supply resource will be used for indirect potable reuse through groundwater augmentation, replenishing local aquifers and sustaining regional groundwater supplies.
At a new advanced water purification facility located in the City of Carson, the Program would further purify treated wastewater from LACSD’s Joint Water Pollution Control Plant for reuse throughout Southern California. The Program is anticipated to produce up to 150 million gallons of purified water daily to serve approximately 500,000 homes in the Greater Los Angeles Region, recharge groundwater basins such as the Santa Fe Spreading Grounds, serve industries, and supply Metropolitan’s water treatment plants.
The Program’s backbone conveyance system would consist of approximately 42 miles of 84-inch diameter pipeline, several pump stations, and appurtenant facilities to convey purified water from the new Advanced Water Purification Facility in Carson to as far north as the City of Azusa for groundwater replenishment. Approximately 3.8 miles of pipeline would traverse through the City of Long Beach (City), starting from Del Amo Boulevard and the 710 Freeway. The pipe would travel eastward along Del Amo Boulevard to Paramount Boulevard, northerly along Paramount Boulevard, and easterly along South Street. A portion will traverse into the City of Lakewood and then back into the City of Long Beach.
Metropolitan evaluated several potential pipeline routes through the City and worked collaboratively with the City to identify the most suitable alignment to limit impacts to traffic, communities, businesses, and existing infrastructure. The recommended alignment offers the shortest construction duration with the least amount of interference with underground utilities. Metropolitan is committed to working with the City to minimize impacts to the maximum extent practicable and phase construction activities accordingly. Willow Street, Wardlow Road, Carson Street, Candlewood Street, and Lakewood Boulevard were also considered but are not recommended due to heavy underground utility congestion, heavy oil and gas pipeline presence, proximity to seismic faults, greater construction risk, extensive tunneling and secondary containment required in some areas, and proximity to schools, residences, and businesses resulting in greater community impact during construction.
The construction duration for this portion of the alignment is anticipated to be approximately one to two years occurring between 2026 and 2030. Through this endeavor, the City and Metropolitan are committed to growing local jobs, providing training for construction and administrative operations, and mitigating financial and social impacts to local businesses and residents during construction. Mitigation measures and community engagement will be implemented in impacted areas prior to and during construction.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Vanessa S. Ibarra on July 26, 2023 and by Budget Management Officer Nader Kaamoush on July 30, 2023.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this item is not time critical.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal or local job impact associated with this recommendation. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
ERIC LOPEZ
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
CHRISTOPHER J. GARNER
GENERAL MANAGER
LONG BEACH UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER