Southern California reused-water purchase agreed

The Water Replenishment District of Southern California (WRD) and the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County (SDLAC) signed a 30‑year recycled water purchase agreement on 29 August 2013, which will eliminate the need for water from northern California and the Colorado river for groundwater recharge.

The ceremony, held at the SDLAC San Jose Creek Water Reclamation Plant in Whittier, featured congresswoman Grace Napolitano as the keynote speaker.

Historically, WRD has purchased more than 16 billion gallons (60 million m³) of recycled water and 7 billion gallons (26 million m³) of imported water annually for groundwater replenishment. This agreement will allow WRD to offset the imported water component of its water portfolio with highly treated recycled water.

In total, WRD will use 23 billion gallons (87 million m³) of recycled water per year. Imported water no longer used by WRD will be conserved and subsequently become available for other uses throughout the state.

Congresswoman Napolitano praised the partnership and foresight of the two agencies, saying “Both WRD and SDLAC have been at the forefront of the recycled water industry, which benefits our whole basin to recharge clean water into our aquifer, and they will continue to serve as we encounter warmer climate and drought cycles.”