West Basin reuse expansion project goes to CH2M Hill

CH2M Hill has been awarded engineering, design and owner representative services by the West Basin Municipal Water District (MWD) for the Carson Regional Water Reclamation Facility Phase II Expansion Project.

CH2M Hill was the engineer for the original recycled water treatment plant in the early 1990s. This award, announced on 2 August 2011, is the company’s first significant engineering project for West Basin since the original work.

The expansion project became necessary when the City of Los Angeles began experiencing water shortages from all major sources. It will allow the city and West Basin MWD to provide over 13,000 acre-feet (16 million m3) per year of recycled water to industrial users in the Los Angeles Harbor area, helping the city make the most of its limited water resources.

Phase II will expand the existing 6 MGD (22,700 m³/d) plant by adding 12 MGD (45,400 m³/d) of biological nitrification processes with the potential of an additional 5 MGD (18,900 m³/d) in the future. CH2M Hill’s scope of work includes preliminary design and producing 30% design and a Request For Proposal to procure a design-build contractor.

CH2M Hill will continue as West Basin MWD’s owners representative throughout construction and start-up. Many of the original project team members from the work that contributed to the original recycled water treatment plant will also be involved in this expansion project.

“West Basin MWD is one of the premier recycled water supply agencies in the US, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with them again in developing a sustainable water supply for the City of Los Angeles,” said Dave Jones, senior project and program manager at CH2M Hill. “This project will allow the city to expand, grow and be prepared for the future and their long-term water needs.”