EAST VALLEY WATER RECYCLING PROJECT CHALLENGES OF IMPLEMENTATION

In 1990, the City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) began development of the 55-million East Valley Water Recycling Project (EVWRP), which is the City's largest and most ambitious water recycling project. The EVWRP will ultimately provide up to 35,000 acre feet of tertiary treated recycled water per year from the Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant for groundwater recharge at the Hansen and Pacoima Spreading Grounds in the San Fernando Valley, and for industrial and irrigation uses along the pipeline route. The EVWRP will lessen the City's demand on imported water supplies, and will replace a portion of water from the eastern Sierras which is no longer available for export. Major project components include ten miles of pipeline, a pumping station, and an extensive monitoring well network.In September 1995, the DWP received a three-year demonstration permit allowing for groundwater recharge of up to 10,000 acre feet per year at the Hansen Spreading Grounds. Despite public meetings, focus group surveys, and significant media attention, there was very little opposition to the EVWRP. However, just as construction was being completed and the project was going to be started, the Los Angeles Daily News published the headline “Tapping Toilet Water”. As a result of this headline, and the interest it generated, startup of the EVWRP has been delayed for review of the project by the City Council.