During the late 1980s and early 1990s, at a time when severe drought was occurring throughout California, the West Basin Board of Directors made a calculated and strategic decision to begin developing a new and sustainable water supply for the coastal region of Los Angeles County. This new water supply would come in the form of recycled water. In taking this action, West Basin sought to reduce its reliance on imported water supplies and strengthen the District’s overall water supply portfolio with a local and drought-proof water source.
Since 1995, West Basin has invested more than $600 million in its recycled water program, with more than 220 billion gallons of recycled water being delivered to a wide variety of customers. The District operates the only recycled water network in the world that creates five different types of customer-specific recycled water. West Basin recycled water is used for irrigation, industrial cooling towers, high and low-pressure boiler feeds, and seawater barrier protection that also replenishes the groundwater basin. Much of the District’s investment has been supplemented by local, state, and federal grants that have allowed West Basin to produce and deliver recycled water as a cost-effective and affordable water supply alternative to drinking water. Every drop of water that West Basin recycles is a drop of drinking water conserved for area residents and businesses.
Each year, West Basin’s robust Capital Improvement Program seeks to strengthen and expand the District’s vast recycled water system. While the District currently delivers approximately 40 million gallons of recycled water per day, West Basin has future plans to expand its production to approximately 70 million gallons per day as customer demand increases. The District continues to work closely with business, industry, and civic leaders to identify and develop future recycled water projects in the service area.
In total, West Basin has 20 recycled water sites currently under development. Several other projects have recently been completed. Each completed project helps further West Basin’s recycled water goals for the region. The District is also in the midst of finalizing a Recycled Water Master Plan that will help guide future investments in new recycled water projects throughout the service area. West Basin is working closely with numerous local public and private organizations to help information the implementation of the plan.
Dominguez Technology Center - Carson
West Basin partnered with a team of public and private organizations to bring recycled water to the Dominguez Technology Center (DTC), in Carson. The project successfully converted DTC’s landscape irrigation system to use recycled water instead of potable water. The 300-acre industrial park, located adjacent to California State University, Dominguez Hills, now uses locally-produced, recycled water from West Basin to irrigate the property’s sizable landscape, saving more than 40 million gallons of drinking water per year.
In June, DTC was awarded the Recycled Water Customer of the Year from WateReuse California. The annual award recognizes innovative organizations who have advanced the use and acceptance of recycled water.
With the project complete, West Basin anticipates delivering more than 40 million gallons of recycled water per year to 36 different landscape irrigation sites located within the business park’s campus, saving enough drinking water annually to serve more than 400 single-family households. In addition to partnering with property owners Watson Land Company and Carson Companies, West Basin collaborated with private water purveyor California Water Service - which owns the recycled water distribution pipeline within the site - to provide the campus with recycled water. A video about the project is viewable online.
SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park - Inglewood
West Basin has completed construction of a new recycled water project at the SoFi Stadium and Entertainment District in Inglewood. SoFi Stadium and Entertainment District will serve as the new home of the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League.
The project delivers approximately 80 acre-feet (26 million gallons) per year of recycled water to the stadium and surrounding areas. Recycled water is provided to the following areas:
- Lake Park (Lake fill & Irrigation)
- Stadium Inner Loop (Irrigation)
- Green areas in parking lots and streetscapes
- Casino
- Inglewood Transit Center
- Other Miscellaneous Irrigation Sites
Torrance Commerce Center
In June, West Basin completed a recycled water project at the Torrance Commerce Center (Center). Located on the former Toyota North American Headquarters property, the Center will use recycled water instead of drinking water to irrigate the landscape surrounding three recently constructed office buildings. The project is expected to save approximately 1 million gallons of drinking water per year.
West Basin partnered with local developer, the Sares Regis Group, to develop a long-term eco-friendly recycled water strategy at the Center that serves the dual purpose of supporting local industries in the South Bay, and improving water supply reliability throughout the region. West Basin will continue to explore additional opportunities to expand recycled water use at the Center as future development occurs.
West Basin is currently working with other local partners to expand recycled water supplies at six other sites at nearby parks, schools and public green spaces.
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