West Basin reports surge in recycled water production as operational upgrades take effect

West Basin reports surge in recycled water production as operational upgrades take effectRecycled water sales for July 2026 exceeded budget expectations by 290 acre-feet, marking a significant shift away from imported water reliance for the district's groundwater barrier operations.

July 2026 recycled water sales reached 3,467 acre-feet, representing a 747 acre-foot increase compared to the previous year.

Barrier replenishment accounted for 1,139 acre-feet of the total, offsetting previous reliance on imported water.

General Manager E.J. Caldwell attributed the production spike to targeted operational improvements at the Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility.

West Basin Municipal Water District (WBMWD) in Southern California recorded a sharp increase in recycled water sales for July 2026, driven by an operational push to maximize production at the Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility (ECLWRF) and reduce reliance on imported water for groundwater replenishment. According to a monthly water sales report presented to the Finance & Administration Committee on August 18, 2026, the district sold 3,467 acre-feet (AF) of recycled water in July. The figure surpassed the district's budget target by 290 AF and marked a 747 AF increase compared to the same month last year. The total was driven heavily by industrial and replenishment demands, comprising 1,823 AF for local refineries, 1,139 AF for the seawater intrusion barrier, and 505 AF of disinfected tertiary water. General Manager E.J. Caldwell attributed the production surge to a "widespread effort" by engineering and operations staff to address major operational bottlenecks at the ECLWRF. "It's a very focused effort to basically attack the big issues and make sure that we're maximizing production," Caldwell told the committee, adding that the district is now shifting its focus to fine-tuning smaller operational matters to maintain the momentum. The increased output is particularly critical for the region's groundwater barrier. Caldwell noted that in previous years, WBMWD relied heavily on imported water for the barrier due to lower recycled water production levels and operational downtime at the county's barrier facilities. With the barrier fully operational and ECLWRF production optimized, the district is successfully offsetting imported water purchases. "The groundwater basin below us is 100% sustainable if properly managed," Caldwell said, emphasizing that the district's goal is to maximize recycled water deliveries to the barrier. He added that WBMWD is on track to potentially exceed its recycled water budget for the fiscal year if current production trends continue. Separately, Senior Accountant Jose Flores reported on the district's July financial demands, which totaled $41.1 million. The expenditures included a $13.1 million payment to the Metropolitan Water District for imported water and a $17.3 million bond debt service payment.