Albert Robles Center for Water Recycling and Environmental Learning

Butier Engineering, Inc. performed as a subconsultant to GHD (Owner’s Engineer), performing project controls, scheduling, risk analysis, and field quality assurance services for the construction of the 5.2-acre Albert Robles Center for Water Recycling & Environmental Learning (ARC). The advanced water treatment facility is the cornerstone of WRD’s “Water Independence Now” (WIN) program, which is a suite of projects and programs designed to protect the security of its groundwater supplies. The ARC has fulfilled the District’s mission by eliminating the need to purchase imported water from Northern California and the Colorado River by creating a locally sustainable water supply.

The ARC purifies approximately 10,000 acre feet (3.25 billion gallons) of tertiary (recycled) water annually to near-distilled levels through using microfiltration (MF) and reverse osmosis (RO) followed by ultraviolet advanced oxidation (UVAOP). Together with another 11,000 acre feet (3.6 billion gallons) of recycled water, WRD delivers 21,000 acre feet of water to the San Gabriel Coastal Spreading Grounds, where it percolates into the Central Basin.

The state-of-the-art Learning Center provides visitors with the opportunity to learn about water resources, water usage in their homes, groundwater, the water cycle, and much more. All of the exhibits are digital and fully bilingual.

The project also incorporated the requirements of the District’s SCADA Master Plan and the Enterprise Asset Management Master Plan. These requirements brought significant uniformity and consistency across various Districts’ assets and the design and operation of future facilities.

Local, state, and federal agencies were involved with implementing, monitoring, and regulating the water recycling facility. Agencies include the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, California Department of Public Health, Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County, California Department of Water Resources, and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.