Purpose of the New Plan
Projected Flows Versus Treatment Capacity
The Joint Outfall System
Tunnel/Outfall Study Area
Identified Potential Tunnel Alignments
Identified Potential Shaft Site Locations
Planning Schedule

Purpose of the New Plan There are five main objectives for the Clearwater Program: First and foremost, the Sanitation Districts must continue to maintain a wastewater collection and treatment system that is protective of public health and the environment. Increase opportunities for the reuse of reclaimed water. Sustained drought conditions, reductions in available imported water from Northern California and the Colorado River and the increasing cost of imported water demonstrate the need for greater water reuse and conservation. Explore the possibility of using the Sanitation Districts’ state-of-the-art facilities to help manage dry weather urban runoff, a contributor to coastal and beach pollution. Ensure the integrity and reliability of the JOS’ infrastructure. The existing effluent tunnels, which have not been available for inspection in over 50 years, must be inspected and, if necessary, replaced and/or repaired. The Sanitation Districts must assure that the wastewater system can accommodate the needs of the growing population in Los Angeles County in the future with the same high standards.		Click to enlarge
Projected Flows Versus Treatment Capacity The Southern California Association of Governments projects that the population in the Joint Outfall System service area will increase from 5.1 to 6.6 million people over the next 40 years – an increase of 1.5 million residents, or 30 percent. This projected population increase will lead to an increase in flows to the Sanitation Districts’ Wastewater Treatment Plants. The treatment plants are expected to reach maximum capacity between 2030 and 2040 – even after adjustments are made for water conservation. By the year 2050, flows to the treatment plants will exceed capacity by approximately 50 million gallons per day (mgd).		Click to enlarge
The Joint Outfall System The Joint Outfall System (JOS) – the subject of the Clearwater Program – is served by the Joint Water Pollution Control Plant (JWPCP) in the City of Carson and six upstream Water Reclamation Plants (WRPs). Expanding the JWPCP could accommodate the future flows. They could also be managed by expanding one or more of the upstream WRPs, or by constructing a new WRP. A combination of expansion of the JWPCP and upstream WRPs is also a possibility. All of these alternatives will be carefully examined in the Clearwater Program.		Click to enlarge
Tunnel/Outfall Study Area The possible construction of a new tunnel and ocean outfall is another major component of the Clearwater Program. If a new tunnel and ocean outfall are determined necessary to safely maintain a beneficial wastewater system that continues to meet the public’s needs in years to come, the tunnel and outfall will be constructed within the yellow-shaded area. This study area was established to maintain sufficient distance from the City of Los Angeles’ Hyperion Outfall, to the northwest, and the Orange County outfall, to the southeast. The Sanitation Districts’ existing 50- and 70-year old tunnels and ocean outfalls (depicted in black) lie within the western edge of the study area.Shown along the eastern edge is the City of Los Angeles’ Terminal Island Treatment Plant outfall (which discharges directly into Los Angeles Harbor). Identified Potential Tunnel Alignments It is important to note that the identified potential tunnel alignments and construction shaft site locations have been identified only as meeting a set of minimum engineering screening criteria. Environmental impacts have yet to be assessed. Alignments and shaft site locations will undergo comprehensive examination and study during the coming year. Minimum Screening Criteria for Tunnel Alignments: Maximize use of public rights-of-ways. Minimize distance between the JWPCP and the coast. Avoid sharp turns due to the limited turning radius of the tunnel boring machines.		Click to enlarge
The first step is to identify public rights-of-way (public streets) in the study area that provide a direct route from the JWPCP to the coast and to identify all alignments that meet the minimum criteria. The identified potential tunnel alignments (on-shore) are depicted in orange. Each alignment is approximately six to seven miles in length. Obviously not all alignments will become proposals or recommendations because they will have varying levels of feasibility and public acceptance. The tunnel will be constructed deep below the ground. A comprehensive series of environmental assessments and geotechnical studies will be conducted as the Clearwater Program progresses. Whichever alignment is selected, there should be virtually no impacts at the surface, except at shaft site locations. Identified Potential Shaft Site Locations If a new tunnel and ocean outfall are determined to be necessary to safely maintain a wastewater management system that continues to meet the public’s needs in years to come, most of the construction impacts would occur at the construction shaft site locations. Due to the tunneling distances being considered, two construction shafts will be needed to lower equipment, including the tunnel boring machine, into the tunnel and to remove excavated soil. Similar to the consideration of tunnel alignments, minimum screening criteria have been developed for shaft sites. Minimum Screening Criteria for Construction Shaft Site Locations: At least 4-8 acres in size. A regular shape (square or rectangle, not overly narrow or irregularly shaped). Relatively flat. Close to a potential tunnel alignment. Preferably close to the coast, approximately mid-point of the tunnel.		Click to enlarge
As in the case of the tunnel alignments, all sites meeting the minimum criteria are being considered at this time, and the work has not progressed to the point where recommendations are being made. One construction shaft site will be located at the JWPCP. Potential shaft site locations for a second construction shaft are marked with yellow dots. The potential shaft sites shown meet the criteria listed above. Environmental impacts have yet to be assessed. Shaft site locations will undergo comprehensive examination and study during the coming year.		Click to enlarge
Planning Schedule The Clearwater Program’s planning phase spans several years and includes continuing public outreach in order to gain as much community input as possible. Public outreach started early in 2007 and will continue throughout the project’s duration. The Clearwater website was established and is regularly updated to reflect the latest status of the Clearwater Program. Over 200 one-on-one presentations have been held with community leaders. Over 40 group presentations have been given to date to local groups and organizations A Clearwater video and periodic newsletters have been produced and distributed to the public. Four Public Workshops were conducted in March 2008. The Sanitation Districts will release a Notice of Preparation/Notice of Intent (NOP/NOI), in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. This is the initial step to begin preparation of Environmental Impact Reports and Environmental Impact Statements (EIR/EIS). A public comment period and scoping meetings are part of the NOP/NOI process. A Draft Master Facilities Plan and Draft EIR/EIS will be prepared, incorporating comments received from the public. These documents should be completed by mid- to late-2009. The Draft Master Facilities Plan and Draft EIR/EIS will be subject to a public comment period, including a public hearing, before the documents are finalized. The Draft Master Facilities Plan will recommend projects that will provide vital public infrastructure to manage the wastewater management and water reuse needs of the Joint Outfall System. The Final Clearwater Program Master Facilities Plan and Final EIR/EIS will be presented for approval and certification at a public hearing in early- to mid-2010. If a new tunnel and ocean outfall are approved as part of the program, final design would take approximately three years and construction approximately seven years (2020).		Click to enlarge