ARC
WRD ALBERT ROBLES CENTER FOR WATER RECYCLING AND ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING
FACILITY OVERVIEW
The five-acre Albert Robles Center for Water Recycling & Environmental Learning (ARC) is located in the City of Pico Rivera. ARC is a multipurpose and multi-benefit site which encapsulates the Water Replenishment District's commitment to the community through the construction of a state-of-the-art Advanced Water Treatment Facility, a fully digital Learning Center, and a water-efficient Demonstration Garden.
Treating up to 14.8 million gallons of water per day, the ARC facility is the crowning achievement of WRD’s Water Independence Now (WIN) program which created a locally sustainable water supply for groundwater recharge in the Montebello Forebay. Groundwater managed by WRD meets nearly 50% of the water demands for the 4 million residents in WRD’s 420-square-mile service area located in southern Los Angeles County.
The Albert Robles Center purifies approximately 10,000 acre-feet (3.25 billion gallons) of tertiary treated (recycled) water annually to near-distilled levels through an advanced water treatment facility. Together, with other supplies of recycled water purchased from the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, WRD targets the delivery of up to 71,000 acre-feet of water annually to the Montebello Forebay Spreading Grounds where it percolates into the Central Basin. The ARC facility, along with other improvements to local water replenishment infrastructure, were constructed as part of the Groundwater Reliability Improvement Project, or GRIP.
By developing a local and sustainable water supply for groundwater replenishment, WRD is creating drought resiliency and strengthening water security in the region for generations to come.
For an overview of the facility, please see the brochure or explore the virtual tours linked below.
ARC Brochure 2023_Digital small.pdfVIRTUAL TOURS
ARC 360 VIRTUAL TOUR
For a self-guided virtual tour of ARC, please visit our 360 Virtual Tour. This tour allows you to feel like you're walking around the site and includes videos of the exhibits in the learning center, demonstration gardens, and treatment facility.
ARC Virtual Tour Story Map
For a self-guided virtual tour of ARC, please visit our Story Map embedded below. This tour includes information on the treatment processes and the green infrastructure features onsite. The tour also covers some of the most popular exhibits in the learning center.
IN-PERSON TOURS
WRD hosts regular Public Tours at ARC. Most Public Tours take place on Saturdays around 10am. Please visit our Facility Tours page for more information.
Please contact info@wrd.org to request a group tour.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ALBERT ROBLES CENTER!
The Advanced Water Treatment Facility at ARC produces up to 14.8 million gallons per day (mgd) of advanced treated recycled water through a 3-step process including Ultrafiltration, Reverse Osmosis & UV/AOP Disinfection. Learn about the ARC treatment process by following the water molecule below!
WATER CONVEYANCE AND TREATMENT PROCESS
ARC’s 3-stage treatment process includes ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolent and advanced oxidation disinfection resulting in highly purified water.
The Albert Robles Center is home to a fully digital and bilingual water museum with over 30 water exhibits. The inviting, colorful and dynamic environment encourages visitors to interact with many of the touch exhibits and learn at their own pace.
Visitors to WRD’s state-of-the-art Learning Center will explore topics that include water resources, the natural and urban water cycles, water conservation, groundwater, recycled water, and environmental stewardship! All our exhibits are interactive and fully bilingual.
WRD is proud to host student field trips including virtual workshops for schools in our vast service area. For more information please contact Monica Sijder at msijder@wrd.org
Download our informational flyer:
ARC Education Program Flyer.pdfARC was built with sustainability in mind and is LEED Platinum Certified for efficiencies in energy, water, and waste.
ARC GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE SITE PLAN
By building the Albert Robles Center’s Administration and Learning Center to meet the highest level of national standards set by the United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification process, WRD hopes to inspire future environmental stewards by leading through example. To take advantage of the educational value of a LEED Platinum Certified building, WRD has developed an educational program which highlights the various building efficiencies and sustainable systems that lower its carbon footprint and create a healthier experience for all who visit or work there.
Sustainable Features at ARC: Drought-tolerant rooftop garden, butterfly garden, bioswales, EV charging stations, permeable pavement, and a working model of the San Gabriel River.
