McCarthy-Jacobs JV to expand groundwater desalination in Southern California
(UI) — The McCarthy-Jacobs joint venture has been awarded the contract to design and build the Torrance Groundwater Desalter Expansion, a major initiative under the Water Replenishment District (WRD) of Southern California’s Brackish Groundwater Reclamation Program.
The project aims to treat brackish water from the West Coast Groundwater Basin, creating a resilient local drinking water supply for over 88,000 residents and reducing reliance on imported water.
The expanded facility will employ reverse osmosis membrane technology to remove salts from groundwater, delivering high-quality drinking water. It is expected to be one of the first municipal brackish water facilities to integrate reverse osmosis and nanofiltration treatment processes.
With an estimated capital cost of $160 million, the Torrance Groundwater Desalter Expansion will boost the facility's capacity to produce up to 9 million gallons of drinking water per day, with full-scale operations targeted for 2027.
“Jacobs and McCarthy bring innovative water treatment solutions, paired with design-build experience, to create a highly skilled team for this significant groundwater desalination project,” said Katus Watson, Jacobs Senior Vice President. “The progressive design-build model allows us to collaborate effectively, reduce risk, streamline construction, and fast-track this state-of-the-art facility to ensure a sustainable water supply for years to come.”
The project also includes constructing new groundwater extraction wells and raw water pipelines to support the expanded desalter's operations.
“As water resources in the West face increasing strain, advanced treatment technologies are ensuring sustainable and resilient water supplies,” said Sagrado Sparks, McCarthy Water Group Vice President. “This project reflects California’s leadership in protecting and preserving its fragile drinking water resources.”
The Torrance Groundwater Desalter Expansion is part of WRD’s broader “WIN 4 ALL” initiative, which focuses on leveraging innovative water solutions to secure Southern California’s water future.
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