WRD receives $25 million grant to expand brackish groundwater cleanup in Torrance, Calif.

(UI) — The Water Replenishment District (WRD) has secured a significant boost for its efforts to enhance local water sustainability with a $25 million grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation under the WaterSMART program.

This funding marks the largest grant awarded in this round for the construction of a groundwater desalination project.

The project, centered around the Torrance Groundwater Desalter Expansion, aims to double the capacity of WRD's existing facility in Torrance. This expansion is crucial for tackling a saline groundwater plume that developed due to historical over-extraction, rendering the water unusable due to salinity. By purifying approximately 10 million gallons of brackish water per day, the project will not only restore the groundwater basin but also create additional storage capacity for local freshwater and recycled water.

"This grant underscores WRD's commitment to sustainable water management," remarked Joy Langford, President of the WRD Board, emphasizing the project's importance in ensuring a resilient water future for southern Los Angeles County.

Rob Katherman, Vice President of the WRD Board, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the collaboration with federal, state, and local partners to deliver innovative solutions that address the region's water needs and protect groundwater resources.

WRD's initiative underscores its dedication to reducing reliance on imported water and implementing locally sustainable water management strategies, reinforcing its role as a leader in the field.

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