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A grand re-opening ceremony was held late last week in El Segundo to commemorate the re-opening of West Basin Municipal Water District’s (WBMWD) Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility (ECLWRF) Water Education Center. Congresswoman Grace Napolitano (D-32nd District- El Monte) served as the keynote speaker, with over 150 water industry professionals, elected officials, environmental organizations and other dignitaries and organizations.
“West Basin is proud of its role as a leader in recycled water, and our newly renovated Water Education Center will once again welcome members of the public and water professionals to learn about the work of our District and our longstanding commitment to provide a sustainable supply of water to our communities,” said WBMWD Board President Scott Houston.
The grand re-opening ceremony hosted key water industry personnel and included remarks from LA Sanitation & Environment (LASAN) General Manager Enrique Zaldivar and Metropolitan Water District of Southern California General Manager Jeff Kightlinger. A video message from Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti was shared congratulating WBMWD on the success of its recycled water program and recognizing the district’s ongoing successful partnership with the city on its sustainability efforts.
Since its opening in 1995, the ECLWRF has hosted more than 100,000 people, including local school students, college groups, international delegations, trade groups and professionals who has attended classes and participated in facility tours. The water recycling facility has produced over 200 billion gallons of recycled water over the past 25 years, demonstrating a successful partnership in sustainability and environmental protection with the city of Los Angeles. Some $600 million has been invested in WBMWD’s infrastructure and treatment technologies for its water recycling program.
Although the facility has been closed to the public during renovations since early 2018 the newly renovated Water Education Center now includes new interpretive exhibits that will provide guests with a refreshed educational experience and enhanced interactive learning opportunities along the water treatment facility tour route. The facility is scheduled to reopen to the public for tours and presentations in January 2020.
The renovated Visitors and Education Center will also be available to community groups and professional organizations as a public meeting space. The water education center is expected to attract over 20,000 people each year and will continue to serve as a regional hub for recycled water education.
“Providing the community with the opportunity to better understand water reuse, water use efficiency and other sustainable solutions that respond to climate change challenges are vital in securing the future of water reliability,” said WBMWD General Manager Patrick Sheilds. “The enhancements to the Water Education Center will now provide a larger platform for information sharing and create opportunities for partnerships and collaboration at a global level.”
