Tons of trash normally swept to the ocean by the Los Angeles River should be captured by thousands of trash screens that have been installed beneath nearly every storm drain in the lower reaches of the river. The project is believed to be the largest debris-capturing effort in the nation and marks the most aggressive attack yet on river trash in the Los Angeles region. The project spans 16 cities and is expected to keep 840,000 pounds of debris — the equivalent of about 450 Volkswagen Beetles — from reaching the ocean each year, according to the Gateway Authority, a coalition of cities and public water agencies in southeastern L.A. County.
The biggest winner from the project is Long Beach, where workers routinely have to scoop floating islands of plastic bottles, grocery bags and other debris flowing from dozens of communities upstream before it litters the city’s coastline. In August 2010, crews began installing the stainless-steel, full-capture trash devices inside nearly 12,000 catch basins. The simple mesh contraptions sit just below the drains where water from city streets flows into the storm-water system and can catch debris as small as a cigarette butt.
Another 5,400 drains in the most-littered areas also were outfitted with street-level retractable screens as a second layer of defense.
The Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) invites new test sites for the research project Transforming our Cities: High Performance Green Infrastructure.
Recent advances in information technology infrastructure as well as hardware systems and software solutions are providing the foundation for a future of ubiquitous, digitally-connected, green infrastructure. Intelligent management of such infrastructure will change the way we understand and control our urban environments and impact natural systems.
The availability of a new breed of robust, extremely low cost, highly functional, internet accessible, programmable logic controller systems coupled with the ease of wired and wireless communications are making onsite real-time and dynamic controls viable options for both new construction as well as retrofits with green infrastructure based stormwater systems.
The total costs for design, equipment, and installation of the active components for demonstrations will be partially subsidized with in-kind contributions from WERF and the project team. Typical costs for an installation are $20-25K. However, under this research project the costs for participating test sites will be in the range of $10-15K resulting in significant savings to participants. Actual costs will depend on site specific conditions. The costs do not include the cost of implementing the BMP itself (e.g. cistern, green roof, bioretention, etc.).
In many cases, retrofitting an existing BMP may be the most effective approach. In addition to the improving the effectiveness of the BMP and saving cost on implementation, other benefits to test site participants include gaining experience with high performance green infrastructure, learning efficient ways to meet stormwater regulations and requirements, identifying new approaches for stormwater reuse, and taking part in a significant research study to help transform the infrastructure of cities and towns.
To learn more about or to express interest in participating as a test site in this targeted collaborative research (TCR) project, contact Senior Program Director Jeff Moeller at jmoeller@werf.org or 571-384-2104 by Oct 31, 2011.
Vander Lans AWTF
LONG BEACH — Laundry day has taken on a whole new meaning in Long Beach as the city unveiled its latest water conservation project Tuesday – Laundry to Landscape.
According to city officials, the program will allow residents to conserve resources by using water from their washing machines, also known as graywater, for backyard irrigation systems for trees, shrubs and gardens.
In March, the City Council approved the program, which was co-sponsored by council members James Johnson, Patrick O’Donnell and Suja Lowenthal.
“Today, Long Beach leads the way by being one of the first cities to test this innovative way to conserve scarce water,” said Johnson. “By reusing water on site, graywater has the potential to both save water and money for Long Beach residents.
Brent Haddad studies water in a place where water is often in short supply: California.
Haddad is a professor of environmental studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz. About 14 years ago, he became very interested in the issue of water reuse.
At the time, a number of California’s local water agencies were proposing a different approach to the state’s perennial water problems. They wanted to build plants that would clean local wastewater — aka sewage water — and after that cleaning, make it available as drinking water. But, says Haddad, these proposals were consistently shot down by an unwilling public.
“The public wasn’t really examining the science involved,” Haddad says. “They were just saying no.” This infuriated the water engineers, who thought the public’s response was fundamentally irrational, Haddad says.
“That’s what I would hear at these water agency meetings,” Haddad says, “these very frustrated water engineers saying, ‘My public is irrational! They are irrational! They simply won’t listen!’ ”
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is launching a new strategy to promote the use of green infrastructure by cities and towns to reduce stormwater runoff that pollutes the nation’s streams, creeks, rivers, lakes and coastal waters. Green infrastructure decreases pollution to local waterways by treating rain where it falls and keeping polluted stormwater from entering sewer systems. In addition to protecting Americans’ health by decreasing water pollution, green infrastructure provides many community benefits including increased economic activity and neighborhood revitalization, job creation, energy savings and increased recreational and green space.
Large volumes of polluted stormwater degrade the nation’s rivers, lakes and aquatic habitats and contribute to downstream flooding. Green infrastructure captures and filters pollutants by passing stormwater through soils and retaining it on site. Effective green infrastructure tools and techniques include green roofs, permeable materials, alternative designs for streets and buildings, trees, rain gardens and rain harvesting systems.
As part of the strategy, EPA will work with partners including local governments, watershed groups, tribes and others in ten cities that have utilized green infrastructure and have plans for additional projects. EPA will encourage and support expanded use of green infrastructure in these cities and highlight them as models for other municipalities around the country. The ten cities are: Austin, TX; Boston, MA; Cleveland, OH; Denver, CO; Jacksonville, FL.; Kansas City, MO.; Los Angeles, CA; Puyallup, WA; Syracuse, N.Y.; and Washington, D.C. and neighboring Anacostia Watershed communities.
EPA will continue to work with other federal agencies, state and local governments, tribes, municipalities, and the private sector to identify opportunities for using green infrastructure and provide assistance to communities implementing green approaches to control stormwater. EPA will also provide additional tools to help states and communities leverage green infrastructure opportunities within other innovative environmental projects.
For more information on EPA’s green infrastructure agenda: http://epa.gov/greeninfrastructure
By Tom Fang, PE and Alec Mackie
Where can LA County get more green energy for the future? One source is an extensive power generation project at the Joint Water Pollution Control Plant (JWPCP) in Carson. When completed, the state-of-the-art facility will turn wastewater sent into Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts’ (LACSD) sewer system into as much as 36 megawatts (MW) of clean, green power every day.
When JWPCP flips the switch later this year, the Power Generation Facility, known as the Total Energy Facility, will produce enough electricity to run the entire plant and, at times, sell surplus to the power grid. Turning sewage biogas into electricity is the goal of the Steam Cycle Modifications Project, according to LACSD Engineer Tom Fang who spoke during a March 17th dinner meeting of the Los Angeles Basin Section (LABS) of CWEA.
JWPCP’s Total Energy Facility dates back to the 1980s and is an important source of power for the facility. Steam can be produced at the facility to heat the anaerobic digesters, and methane from the digesters, in turn, is used to fuel the power plant.
What’s unique about the Total Energy Facility is the combined cycle power plant. First, up to three 9.9 MW gas turbines burn digester gas much like a jet engine to directly generate electricity (the Brayton power cycle). The exhaust heat is then tapped to make steam that powers an 8.7 MW steam turbine generator (the Rankine cycle). Known as cogeneration or combined heat and power (CHP), the upgraded facility will have 36 MW capacity and is expected to generate 23 MW on average. That’s enough power for the entire JWPCP and then some.
Tom explained project planning dates back to late 1990s when LACSD expanded JWPCP to full secondary treatment. As part of the expansion, digesters were added requiring more heat and generating more digester gas.
In 2008 the upgrade took on greater urgency when the former steam turbine generator suffered a catastrophic failure. The reduced capacity meant more purchased power, raising the facility’s electric bill by $2-million per year.
Tom took the audience step by step through the project’s phased construction and major elements. The equipment being replaced in the project includes a steam turbine generator (STG), heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs), cooling towers, condenser, steam-to-steam generator, HVAC Chillers, High Pressure Gas Treatment System, and the Plant Control System. The three combustion turbines were previously upsized in 2001 and thus not part of recent upgrades. Startup is planned in late 2011.
Tom pointed out the project has taken years to become reality, but the payoff for the agency and its customers will be huge. Benefits include energy savings, reliable power and steam for the plant, less dependence on the grid, and avoiding utility emissions – thus fulfilling LACSD’s commitment to cost-effective, environmentally friendly operations.
In January, the project team was honored by LABS with the Engineering Achievement Award for 2010. Tom’s presentation is available on the LABS website at www.labsofcwea.com.
The West Basin Municipal Water District formally dedicated its new ocean water desalination demonstration facility in Redondo Beach, CA on November 12. The demonstration facility will pull in about 580,000 gallons of ocean water a day. It hosts ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis and energy recovery technologies. Similar membrane water purification processes are used at West Basin’s 30 million gallons a day wastewater recycling facility in El Segundo.
Equinox Center Study Shows Treated Wastewater Safe To Drink
SAN DIEGO — When it comes to the prospect of turning wastewater into drinking water, a new report from the non-partisan research group Equinox Center shows it could be safer than most would think.
“Purified, recycled water is safer to drink than what we are drinking today,” said Aaron Contorer of the Equinox Center. “A significant portion of our water today is extracted from wastewater upstream.”
The Equinox Center’s report reveals a map of some 350 sewage plants that discharge wastewater into the waterways the country draws its water from before it is treated locally.
Essentially, the report shows everyone routinely drinks recycled wastewater.
Las Vegas already recycles its wastewater to drink, and that drinking water also ends up in the San Diego water supply.
“All the tests have shown purified, recycled water is safe and clean,” said Contorer. “According to our research, it’s safer, cleaner, more reliable and uses less energy than other water sources.”
The Equinox Center’s report comes days ahead of a critical vote, when the San Diego City Council will vote on a construction contract for an $11.8 million wastewater recycling pilot project.
It is a first step that could lead to recycled water in San Diego faucets if it is deemed successful.
Other areas that have wastewater-to-tap programs included Long Beach, Orange County, Reno and the country of Singapore.
Three New Customers Will Help the Department Save 6.5 Million Gallons of Water per Year
LOS ANGELES — Furthering its commitment to expand local water supplies and reduce the City’s dependence on imported water, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) has successfully expanded its network of recycled water pipes to deliver treated reclaimed water to the newest customers in the San Fernando Valley: two local churches and the LADWP Power System, who will use recycled water for outdoor irrigation. These new customers will reduce the need for using drinking water for non-potable purposes by 20 acre feet per year (AFY) or 6.5 million gallons.
Photo: LA Team Effort
The keyword is “We”… the collaboration between the Mar Vista community and LA Stormwater set the bar for what is possible when the community gives up the ‘why don’t they…’ attitude and works with the city towards a greener LA! Read more
Japanese Garden on the campus of the Tillman Water Reclamation Plant. (d.j.k./flickr)
It is known simply as the Japanese Garden. But to those familiar with this 6 1/2 -acre oasis, tucked away in the middle of bustling Van Nuys, it is affectionately referred to as “Gene’s Garden.”
Link to full article in LA Times
If water is the next battleground for a globe facing dwindling water resources, then this 1960s-style community center at the northern end of Los Angeles’s Koreatown is at the forefront of the fight.
Recycled Water: What Goes Around… Comes Around
Attendees for this one-day workshop will gain a better understanding of recycled water issues and trends, upcoming regulations in California, and key factors for successful implementation of water recycling programs.
Northern California:
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Bay Café Clubhouse and Restaurant
1875 Embarcadero Rd
Palo Alto, CA 94303
Paul Friedlander, Carollo Engineers, Moderator
Southern California:
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts
1955 Workman Mill Rd
Whittier, CA 90601
Phil Ackman, LACSD, Moderator
Featured speakers:
- Fran Spivy-Weber, SWQCB
- Heather Collins, CDPH
- Andrew Salveson, Carollo Engineers
- Rich Nagel, West Basin MWD
- Shivaji Deshmukh, OCWD
- George Tchobanoglous, UC Davis
Earn up to 6.2 CWEA and/or Calif. Dept of Health Contact Hours!
The project is being developed through a partnership between the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District, the Water Replenishment District of Southern California, and several other water agencies that do not include the Central Basin Municipal Water District.
There was a water main break Monday morning in an 8″ pipeline connection to a larger 54″ line sending a tall geyser rising into the air. Some reporters quickly dubbed it “Old Faithful of the Valley.” The LADWP quickly closed off the line.
The agency describes it as a purple pipe carrying recycled water. The water is required to meet California Title 22 water quality standards for health and safety but is not used for drinking water. No one was hurt.
It’s likely the recycled water is from the Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant just across the 405-freeway. The facility recycles roughly 26-million gallons every day.
A Long Beach wastewater recycling project will receive Federal funding as part of legislation the Senate passed last week. The 2010 fiscal year Energy and Water Appropriations Conference Report includes $634,000 for the project.
“We will also be able to continue to expand the city’s use of recycled water, which reduces our consumption of potable water, and makes Long Beach less dependent on outside sources of water, which as everyone knows are becoming more and more unreliable.” Matthew Veeh, LB Water spokesman.
Speakers Tim Haug, Deputy City Engineer for Los Angeles and Rich Atwater General Manager of the Inland Empire Utilities Agency.
By Wendy Wert
LABS Director
CWEA Chair, Training Coordination
On September 24, 2009 the American Academy of Environmental Engineers (AAEE) hosted a dinner and networking seminar at Loyola Marymount University (LMU). Participants were enlightened, inspired, and entertained. The “Sustainable Wastewater Operations” topic drew attendees from a broad spectrum of the environmental profession, including: professors, researchers, managers, practitioners, technicians, advocates, manufacturers, vendors and students. The evening began with a stimulating networking session on the breezeway of LMU’s University Center. Participants then dined in the MacIntosh Room where they engaged in discussions of resource recovery alternatives from individual experiences. In addition to the sponsored students, two LMU engineering classes joined attendees in the Ahmanson Auditorium for the presentation portion of the event.
City of Los Angeles Terminal Island Renewable Energy demonstration project near the Port of LA (credit: City of LA).
The City’s innovative biosolids-to-energy project at the Terminal Island Water Reclamation Plant has received stimulus funding from the Department of Energy to continue work on the biosolids injection and energy recovery project. Funds will be used to expand the facility as well as drill the third well on the site. Biosolids are injected into deep underground former oil deposits where geothermal energy and pressure heats the biosolids and converts them to biogas.
The biogas generated by the heated biosolids is recovered and used to run a turbine which can power up to 3,000 Los Angeles homes according to the City. Deep well injection also sequesters the carbon and reduces the number of daily truck trips needed to haul biosolids from the City’s coastal wastewater treatment plants to distant farm lands where they are safely used as fertilizer. the T.I.R.E. is the first project of its kind in the nation.
We are honored to have the Terminal Island Renewable Energy project selected for this research grant. TIRE is already at the forefront of technology, and we look forward to seeing how the results of this additional research can help us achieve our mission of protecting public health and the environment,” said Enrique C. Zaldivar, Director, Bureau of Sanitation
Read the City of LA press release here.
LABS hosted a dinner presentation by City of LA Project Manager Omar Moghaddam, that story is here.
Cheers West Basin!
On Wednesday Sept. 9th over 60 professionals from LABS and SARBS took a guided tour of the West Basin Municipal Water District’s water recycling facility in El Segundo.
West Basin’s Manager of Public & Gov’t Affairs Ron Wildermuth gave an enlightening talk on SoCal’s dire water situation and what West Basin is doing to secure more local supplies for their customers. Their plan, called Water Reliability 2020 involves several different projects to diversive the region’s water supplies and move away from dependence on expensive and dwindling imported supplies. One of West Basin’s main messages is – spread the word about water efficiency in your community, Southern California needs public support for clean water projects now more than ever.
Public tours of the Edward C. Little Water Reclamation Facility are offered the second Saturday of each month at 9:30am – it is a fantastic tour and well worth taking. Contact info is on West Basin’s website at www.westbasin.com.
