A groundbreaking project to bolster Southern California’s water resilience by recycling purified wastewater has received an additional $26.2 million grant from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Announced Monday (Nov. 18), the grant supports Pure Water Southern California, a regional initiative led by the Metropolitan Water District and Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts. This follows a $99.2 million federal award granted to the project in May.
The funding is part of the Department of Interior’s Large-Scale Water Recycling Program, launched in 2023 with backing from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This program allocates $450 million over five years to support water recycling projects in the West.
“Climate change is straining water supplies across the Southwest with hotter, drier conditions becoming the norm. Significant investments in sustainable water solutions are critical,” said Metropolitan Interim General Manager Deven Upadhyay. “We’re grateful for federal support in these efforts.”
Pure Water Southern California aims to transform treated wastewater—currently discharged into the ocean—into high-quality drinking water through advanced multi-stage purification. At full scale, the project could deliver 150 million gallons of drinking water daily, enough to meet the needs of 1.5 million people.
“This ambitious initiative could become one of the largest water recycling projects globally,” said Metropolitan Board Chair Adán Ortega, Jr. “Beyond addressing Southern California’s water needs, it will reduce reliance on imported sources like the Colorado River and Northern Sierra, while sustaining the region’s economy during droughts.”
The newly awarded funds will support the project’s planning, design, and infrastructure upgrades. An Environmental Impact Report is expected in 2025, with water production anticipated as early as 2033.
In addition to Pure Water Southern California, the Large-Scale Water Recycling Program awarded over $125 million to other projects, including initiatives by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the City of Ventura, the Inland Empire Utilities Agency, and Utah’s Washington County Water Conservation District. Combined with May’s awards, the program has provided $304 million in grants to enhance water sustainability across the Southwest.
