Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant’s New Pilot Facility Breaks Ground

Los Angeles Moves Another Step Closer to 100% Wastewater Recycling Goal

LOS ANGELES, CA – The City of Los Angeles today began the installation work at the Hyperion Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) Pilot Facility. A virtual celebration was held to mark the progress on this initiative that is part of the City’s commitment to meet Mayor Eric Garcetti’s goal of recycling 100% of treated water at the Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant by 2035.
 
“Los Angeles stands on the leading edge of smart planning for a sustainable future — and reaching the goal of 100% recycled wastewater is a critical step toward ensuring equal access to clean water for all Angelenos,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “The COVID-19 crisis has only reinforced the urgency of investing in our resilience and self-sufficiency, and Hyperion pilot will equip us with the tools to meet this moment and produce high-quality recycled water in our own backyard.”
 
Next steps on the project include installation of a facility that will test membrane bioreactors from three different manufacturers for a period of one year. The procurement process was completed on June 19, 2020 through the issuance of contracts to Dupont, Koch and Suez for the MBR membrane systems and to Evoqua for the shared system. Investment in the facility is $19.5 million, and completion is scheduled for September 2021.
 
“LASAN has long been a national leader in bringing sustainable practices and innovative technologies to wastewater treatment,” said Los Angeles Board of Public Works President Greg Good. “The Hyperion MBR Pilot project is yet another example of that leadership and a critical first step in making Hyperion a 100% water recycling facility. We’re excited to take this giant leap toward helping ensure access to clean, locally sourced water for all Angelenos.”
 
“The MBR Pilot Project groundbreaking marks the ever-inspirational first step of the 15-year journey to completely transform Hyperion into a Zero Wasted Water Production Facility by 2035,” said Enrique C. Zaldivar, General Manager and Director of LASAN.

The Hyperion MBR Pilot Facility at the Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant is an important step toward the City’s goal of sourcing its water from local supplies that are sustainable and resilient. The Pilot is a joint effort between LASAN, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and the West Basin Municipal Water District. It will test new methods that will result in 100% recycling of Hyperion’s water and exceed the initial goal of treating and doubling the recycled water sent from Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant to the West Basin Municipal Water District Edward C. Little Plant in El Segundo.  
 
“The Hyperion water reuse project will ensure a strong water future for Los Angeles as our City’s next major water supply source. Working together with our partners at LASAN and West Basin, construction of this pilot project is an important step forward in expanding our City’s local water supplies to 70% by 2035,” said Cynthia McClain-Hill, Vice-President of the Los Angeles Board of Water and Power Commissioners. “Through Los Angeles’ Green New Deal, Mayor Garcetti has set ambitious goals to drought-proof our City and we are committed to working with our partners to achieve them.”
 
“For the past 25 years, West Basin and the city of Los Angeles have worked together as partners to significantly expand the availability of reliable, high-quality recycled water supplies in our region,” said Gloria Gray, President of the West Basin Municipal Water District.  “We are excited about the tremendous potential this collaborative project holds to further improve recycled water quality and production capabilities, which will benefit the many diverse communities that we serve for the next 25 years and beyond.”

Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant is the largest of the City’s four water reclamation plants operated by LASAN. It receives and treats an average flow of 260 million gallons per day of wastewater through the secondary treatment process. Visit www.lacitysan.org for more information.

About LA Sanitation and Environment
As the lead agency for the City’s environmental programs and initiatives, Sanitation protects public health and the environment through the administration and management of three program areas: Clean Water (Wastewater), Solid Resources (Solid Waste Management) and Watershed Protection (Stormwater). These infrastructure programs collect, treat, dispose and recycle the solid and liquid waste generated by the nation’s second largest city of more than four million residents. Through these essential Public Works programs, Sanitation delivers a triple bottom line of economic, environmental and social benefits that sustain quality of life in Los Angeles.

About L.A. City Department of Public Works
The Department of Public Works is comprised of five bureaus:  Contract Administration, Engineering, Sanitation, Street Lighting, and Street Services, as well as the Offices of the Board, including the Offices of Community Beautification, Filming and Petroleum Administration.  More than 5,500 employees are responsible for design, construction, renovation and operation of public projects ranging from bridges to wastewater treatment plants and libraries; curbside collection and graffiti removal; and maintenance of streets, sidewalks, sewers, streetlights and street trees.
 
The Department is governed by the Board of Public Works (BPW), a five-member full-time executive team that is committed to delivering projects and programs that enhance quality of life, economic growth, public health and the environment to all Angelenos.
 
For more information, please visit  http://bpw.lacity.org