“We are proud to partner with the Metropolitan Water District on this critically important water resource project to diversify Southern California’s water supply and improve climate resiliency in the Southwest for decades to come.”
From left: Metropolitan Board Chair Adán Ortega Jr. and LACSD General Manager Robert Ferrante
Robert Ferrante, Sanitation Districts Chief Engineer and General Manager
Milestone Votes Move Pure Water Southern California Forward LACSD and Metropolitan Advance Major Infrastructure Project
By Elizabeth Smilor Special Sections Writer T wo recent votes have advanced the potential Water District of Southern California and the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts are jointly planning the Carson- based infrastructure project, which would purify and reuse cleaned wastewater currently discharged to the ocean. On Feb. 10, the Metropolitan Board of Directors unanimously voted to certify the final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for Pure Water Southern California – marking a major step toward the potential development of what would be one of the world’s largest water recycling programs. “Recognizing that climate change presents serious development of the Pure Water Southern California large-scale recycled water project. The Metropolitan challenges to our imported water supply, Metropolitan began development of Pure Water Southern California more than
a decade ago as a drought-resistant sustainable local supply of water,” said Vice Chair Nancy Sutley. “Completion of the environmental review is a major milestone that will allow our board to evaluate next steps to advance the program.” The board action formally completes the project’s environmental analysis under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), clearing the way for future decisions on the project’s implementation, including phasing, funding, design, and construction. The board is expected to consider whether to move forward with Pure Water Southern California as part of its Climate Adaptation Master Plan for Water evaluation process and its biennial budget. Prior to Metropolitan’s vote, Gov. Gavin Newsom and the State Legislature certified the project under SB 149, the CEQA judicial streamlining process. This certification means that if Pure Water’s final EIR faces any legal challenges, it will benefit from expedited judicial review.
10 | 2026 MOBILITY
ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE L.A. TIMES
Made with FlippingBook Annual report maker