The Tillman Water Reclamation Plant Expansion

For many years, the Tillman Water Reclamation Plant has provided clean water for many citizens in Los Angeles. With its recycling of groundwater and sewer water, this plant has provided clean water for the irrigation of many facilities across Los Angeles.

When a proposition for this plant to begin transforming wastewater into drinking water was proposed, it was met with general dismay. It was labeled a “toilet-to-tap“ project, leaving many to view such an expansion as unsanitary. So, it was put off.

But, after many years, Los Angeles officials began to reconsider the project. They noticed a similar wastewater project in Orange County, which saved millions of gallons of water while still ensuring the effective sanitation of water.

In such a wastewater treatment project, a system is going to be installed to reintroduce clean water into the water supply. The water is purified with an advanced multistep process, and is then reintroduced to groundwater basins through percolation.

Such water purification projects will be a staple to the Los Angeles water supply. It is projected that these projects will produce hundreds of millions of gallons for Los Angeles systems. And, many researchers have concluded that these projects will be vital to the resilience of Los Angeles Water systems during times of crisis, including drought and earthquake.

The expansion of the reclamation plant is expected to cost $740 million. But, this project is regarded as a major step in supporting the massive population and economic demands of Los Angeles. And as this project conquers negative stigmas around wastewater treatment, it will mark a shift in the way we think about water treatment.