Water Replenishment District Invests $146M in Groundwater Desalter Expansion for Future Sustainability

Major Investment in Water Infrastructure

The Water Replenishment District (WRD) recently took a significant step towards enhancing regional water reliability and sustainability by approving a monumental plan to invest $146 million in the Torrance Groundwater Desalter Expansion Project. This project aims to combat the imminent threats posed by climate change and future droughts by increasing the local sustainable water supply available for the residents of Southern Los Angeles County.

With unanimous support from the board, this funding will facilitate the construction of four new groundwater extraction wells, coupled with an expansion of the Robert W. Goldsworthy Desalter Facility located in Torrance. This project will not only improve local water self-sufficiency but also reduce reliance on imported water, which has seen escalating costs in recent years. The agreement with McCarthy-Jacobs, which was also approved, brings the estimated total project value to an impressive $166.5 million, marking one of the largest investments in WRD's history.

"This approval signifies a transformative moment for the Torrance Groundwater Desalter Expansion Project, transitioning us from the planning phase to comprehensive construction," stated Joy Langford, WRD Board President. She emphasized the importance of WRD’s vision and public-private collaboration in realizing this ambitious project.

Years of groundwork have led to this juncture, and WRD Director Rob Katherman voiced excitement about moving closer to restoring the basin's brackish groundwater into a usable resource. This project is integral for ensuring long-term rate stability for local residents while also paving the way for more groundwater storage solutions to support broader regional water reclamation initiatives.

The expansion is positioned to clean up a 14-square-mile brackish groundwater plume that has developed due to seawater intrusion, predating the South Bay Seawater Barrier System. Additionally, this initiative will create a sustainable, local drinking water supply, alleviate some of the demand for progressively expensive imported water sources, and empower groundwater pumpers by maximizing their water pumping rights.

Stephan Tucker, WRD General Manager, reflects on the historical significance of this approval: "It underscores our unwavering commitment to ensuring a sustainable, local water future while enhancing our collaborative partnerships with stakeholders. Through teamwork, we are embarking on a project that will fundamentally alter how our region addresses its water resource needs."

Once completed, the enlarged facility will treat approximately 7 million gallons per day of brackish groundwater, transforming it into safe, high-quality drinking water for the City of Torrance. Sagrado Sparks, Vice President of Operations for McCarthy Building Companies' National Water Group, noted that this project exemplifies innovation and teamwork, uniting proven treatment technologies to bolster local water reliability and yield lasting benefits to the community.

The ambitious project is funded through various avenues, including WRD's Capital Improvement Program, state and federal grants, a low-interest loan from the state, and a bond issuance scheduled in the first quarter of 2027 under WRD's Brackish Groundwater Reclamation Program. Construction is set to commence in November 2025, with a completion target of 2029.

The WRD remains committed to sustainable groundwater management and enhancing local water reliability for generations to come. To learn more about WRD's initiatives, visit www.wrd.org/brackish-groundwater-reclamation-program. The Water Replenishment District is the regional groundwater management authority, dedicated to maintaining the quantity and quality of groundwater for two of California's most utilized urban basins, supporting over ten percent of California’s population across 43 cities in Southern Los Angeles County. Governed by a publicly elected Board of Directors, which includes prominent leaders like Joy Langford and Rob Katherman, WRD continues to uphold community stewardship in water resource management.