Business View Civil and Municipal | May 2021

14 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL MAY 2021 IANS large project would deliver water throughout the region,” said Metropolitan board Chairwoman Gloria D. Gray. “Offering tours in English and Spanish is an opportunity for more people across Southern California to learn about what we are doing to ensure our region has reliable water even as climate change challenges our other water sources.” Currently, only about 10 percent of Southern California’s wastewater is reused. Metropolitan’s demonstration facility is testing an innovative treatment method to purify and reuse wastewater. If built, the full-scale plant would By tapping an unused source of wastewater, we’re continuing to diversify the region’s water sources to ensure we always have reliable water produce 150 million gallons per day, enough to serve more than 500,000 homes. Purified water may be used for groundwater replenishment, industrial purposes, and potentially as an additional supply into Metropolitan’s water treatment plants. “This project is a major investment to reduce Southern California’s reliance on imported water supplies. By tapping an unused source of wastewater, we’re continuing to diversify the region’s water sources to ensure we always have reliable water,” Metropolitan Chief Operating Officer Deven Upadhyay said. The next English tours take place at 4 p.m. on April 27, 4 p.m. on May 26, and noon on June 18. Tours in Spanish are scheduled for 5 p.m. on April 29 and noon on June 22. Participants may register for tours hosted on Zoom or watch them live on Metropolitan’s YouTube channel. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a state-established cooperative that, along with its 26 cities and retail suppliers, provide water for 19 million people in six counties. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage and other resource-management programs.