LADWP’s Newly Completed Ultraviolet Disinfection Facility Further Improves Water Quality for the City of Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES (May 2, 2022) – Mayor Eric Garcetti, 12e District Council Member John Lee, State Water Resources Control Board member Sean Maguire joined the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to dedicate the reservoir’s new ultraviolet disinfection plant of Los Angeles (LARUVDP) in the San Fernando Valley.
This is LADWP’s second UV disinfection facility and the final stop in LADWP’s complex network of water treatment processes at the Los Angeles Aqueduct Filtration Plant.
“In Los Angeles, we are taking steps to become more resilient and prepared for the drought years that are occurring more frequently due to climate change,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “This state-of-the-art facility will allow us to continue providing high-quality water as our state experiences a third straight year of drought. Los Angeles is ready to meet this challenge head on thanks to the tireless work and leadership of our Department of Water and Power.
“The LA Reservoir UV Disinfection Plant Project is a critical step in ensuring that the water the Los Angeles Aqueduct provides to our region is clean and treated to the highest degree,” 12 said.e District Council Member John Lee.
“Few people think about the hard work that goes into bringing high quality tap water to their home. Today we have the chance to see part of this process, up close and personal. LADWP continues to demonstrate its dedication to ensuring the best water quality for Angelenos with projects like this LA Reservoir UV Disinfection Plant,” said 13e Mitch O’Farrell, member of the district council.
The LARUVDP can treat up to 650 million gallons of water per day – enough to fill the LA Memorial Coliseum more than twice.
This second UV installation complements the existing Dr. Pankaj Parekh ultraviolet disinfection installation which treats water with ultraviolet light which has already undergone several treatments – including fluoridation, ozonation and filtration – before it enters the LA tank. The new UV plant again treats the water with ultraviolet light, as it leaves the Los Angeles reservoir, before it enters the Los Angeles water distribution pipes that carry the water to the Los Angeles homes and businesses.
“All Angelenos should be confident that the water that comes out of taps has undergone rigorous treatment, testing and monitoring,” said Water and Power Board Commissioner Nicole Neeman Brady. “Today’s dedication to this UV facility is a testament to the countless talented and committed LADWP employees who have worked for 25 years to bring about these many water quality improvements.”
“UV treatment is one of the most cost effective methods available and has been identified by the US EPA as one of the most effective purification methods for water treatment,” said Anselmo Collins, general manager. Senior Water System Assistant for LADWP. “In combination with our Dr. Pankaj Parekh UV Disinfection Facility and the deployment of nearly 96 million shade balls on the surface of the Los Angeles Reservoir, this second LA Reservoir UV Plant is just the latest investment we achieve in the water we deliver to our customers.”
The approximately $123 million project was funded by two grants from the State Revolving Fund for Drinking Water. Based on the bond rate available at the time of project initiation, the estimated total interest savings for LADWP taxpayers is close to $16.5 million.
“The Los Angeles Reservoir Ultraviolet Light Treatment Plant is a great example of how we can leverage innovation, technology and strong funding partnerships to build the infrastructure needed to ensure a resilient future for water,” said Sean Maguire, board member of the State Water Resources Control Board. . “As the drought continues and climate change intensifies, this facility will help ensure a clean water supply for the millions of people who depend on this facility every day. Last year’s historic federal infrastructure dollars and $5.2 billion in state funding for water means we are well positioned to support many more critical projects like this that invest in our water infrastructure.
The LARUVDP project complies with the requirements of the US EPA Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment (LT2 Rule), which protects drinking water in outdoor facilities from microbiological contamination, and the Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule, which deals with the risks associated with microbial pathogens and disinfectant by-products. Per regulatory requirements, open tanks must be capped, decommissioned, or incorporate additional water treatment before it enters the distribution system
The LARUVDP consists of a 30,000 square foot structure that houses 15 UV reactors, complex mechanical controls and systems, and uninterruptible power supply units. The project also includes more than 50 large gates varying in size between 32 and 144 inches, a 3-branch flow control station, five seismic resilience vaults and a 2,500 kilowatt diesel generator.
LADWP is committed to achieving the highest level of water quality and has invested more than $1.5 billion in 34 major projects for the reliability and safety of Los Angeles drinking water infrastructure.
Previous water quality improvement projects:
- 5 tanks decommissioned
- 2 New tanks
- 2 New underground reservoirs
- 3 floating blankets
- 2 UV plants
- Millions of shade balls deployed
- Multiple processing upgrades and miles of new hoses
The LADWP water system serves nearly 4 million people through 700,000 service connections in the City of Los Angeles and parts of Malibu, Kagel Canyon, West Hollywood, Culver City and Universal City. Click here to learn more about LADWP’s water quality improvement projects.
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