West LA Times

The city of Los Angeles is advancing plans to invest $6 billion in wastewater recycling infrastructure as part of its goal to recycle all wastewater by 2035. The initiative, known as Pure Water Los Angeles or Operation Next (OpNEXT), aims to provide potable water for over half a million households annually during natural or manmade crises.

A team from the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation evaluated the city's plan using a new methodology that assessed hundreds of thousands of scenarios. Their findings suggest that the project would offer significant protection against water shortages and future cost uncertainties.

The report highlights the importance of developing climate solutions, confirming that Los Angeles' wastewater recycling plans could enhance resilience and self-reliance during droughts or disasters that disrupt external water supplies. "Supporting wastewater recycling infrastructure at scale now would be a strategic investment to address immediate water supply challenges and offers long-term economic and water security benefits," said Nicolas Chow, a researcher at UCLA LCI and Oxford University.

Los Angeles’ plan involves creating a renewable local water source capable of producing more than 250,000 acre-feet of clean drinking water annually. This effort is backed by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power's commitment to investing in this crucial infrastructure project.

Gregory Pierce, research director at UCLA LCI, emphasized the necessity for adaptation due to climate uncertainty: “Because climate uncertainty will be the largest driver of the city’s water shortage, the city must adapt by developing more local, reliable supplies. Operation Next is by far the biggest opportunity the city has to do so.”

The UCLA team's analysis also suggests that other cities dependent on imported water might benefit from adopting similar methodologies for their own water solutions. The study underscores recycled water infrastructure as an effective response to climate change challenges.

For further information on UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation’s research initiatives regarding local water supply and wastewater infrastructure, additional resources are available.