Water Replenishment District and Long Beach Water Department Celebrate a New Era in the Treatment of Recycled Water

The Water Replenishment District recently held a ceremony to transfer operations of the Long Beach-based Leo J. Vander Lans Water Treatment Facility (LVL Facility) to the Long Beach Water Department (LBWD). The state-of-the-art LVL Facility’s central role is to treat recycled water to ensure that Southern California’s groundwater supply is sufficient, clean and safe. Recycled water treated at the site supplies water to protect the Central Basin groundwater basin - one of Los Angeles County’s largest groundwater basins - from seawater intrusion and protects the drinking water for the region.

“WRD and the Long Beach Water Department have been working together to provide a more reliable source of water and decrease our reliance on costly imported water. I am proud to say that, together, we are looking to increase the use of recycled water that is normally lost to the ocean,” said WRD General Manager Robb Whitaker. “We will continue to take on the duty of ensuring that the LVL Facility will continue to explore ways to protect our groundwater and conserve our most precious resource.”

“WRD is known for its excellence in groundwater management and protection. I want to commend WRD for its innovative and resourceful approach to ensuring that this region will do its part to reduce the demand on costly imported water supplies. In a time of reduced resources, I am encouraged when agencies such as the Water Replenishment District and Long Beach Water Department find ways to pool resources for the benefit of shared constituencies,” stated Suja Lowenthal, WRD Chief of Strategic Initiatives.

The WRD’s innovative and advanced treatment of recycled water from the LVL Facility is the first water treatment center to use the processes of microfiltration, reverse osmosis and ultraviolet light to treat recycled water, distinguishing the LVL Facility as a leader in the treatment of recycled water. State Senator Alan Lowenthal, WRD and LBWD board members, and elected officials from WRD’s service area were on hand to participate in this historic ceremony celebrating the partnership of two water industry leaders.