JOS Facilities Plan The 2010 Facilities Plan for the Joint Outfall System (JOS) was published in 1995 and resulted in upgrades to the Joint Water Pollution Control Plant (JWPCP) that were completed in 2005. The new JOS Facilities Plan will serve as a blueprint for operation of the JOS for many years to come and will address the following areas: Public Health and the Environment The primary purpose of the new JOS Facilities Plan will be to assure continuation of a system that is protective of public health and the environment. Population Growth The six Water Reclamation Plants in the JOS and the JWPCP will be analyzed and assessed to determine their ability to accommodate projected population growth, including industrial demands and wet weather needs. Water Reuse An analysis and development of strategies will be undertaken to increase opportunities for the reuse of reclaimed water. With a projected growth in population and diminishing available resources, including the increasing cost of importing water, sound environmental policy includes greater reuse of recycled water.		The 2010 Facilities Plan will be updated with a new JOS Facilities Plan.
Aging Infrastructure Evaluating the aging infrastructure is crucial. The existing tunnels, under the Palos Verdes Peninsula, were built in 1937 and 1958 and have not been inspected in almost 50 years. Because the system has reached its design capacity, both tunnels are in use every day. Neither one can be taken out of service. A new tunnel and ocean outfall would allow diverting flow from the old tunnels, taking them out of service for inspection and, if necessary, repairing them. New Tunnel and Ocean Outfall It is possible that the facilities planning process will identify a strategy to reduce the amount of wastewater flowing to the JWPCP in Carson. Engineers and environmental consultants, however, predict that in all likelihood, a new tunnel and ocean outfall may be necessary. Advantages A new tunnel and ocean outfall will provide the following benefits to both the local and regional communities: Ability to inspect and, if necessary, repair the existing 50- and 80-year-old tunnels to keep them operational. Improved seismic reliability. Ability to accommodate additional surface water runoff from city streets during dry weather (dry weather urban runoff). Possible reduction in chlorine use. Possible removal of Terminal Island Treatment Plant discharge from the Port of Los Angeles.		Constructing one of the original tunnels from Carson to the Palos Verdes Peninsula
Possible Alignment (Location) (Latest Update) Multiple alignments within the Band of Alternatives (shown on the right) are being researched and analyzed by environmental and geotechnical engineers. The possible new tunnel and ocean outfall would be anywhere in this band. There are two logical areas for the outfalls: the Palos Verdes Shelf, around 1-1/2 miles offshore, and the San Pedro Shelf, approximately 6 miles beyond the breakwater. (The edge of the ocean shelf is where the ocean floor dramatically drops off and is the limiting point that the outfall can extend into the ocean.) Construction (Latest Update) If the facilities planning process and environmental studies conclude that a new tunnel and ocean outfall should be built, state-of-the-art underground construction methods will be used. Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) are an alternative to open trench construction, thereby minimizing traffic disruptions. The only visible activity will be at a shaft site (a construction point for the lowering of the TBM and other supplies/materials into the ground and for the extraction and exportation of the excavated dirt and rocks). Shaft sites are typically shielded from surrounding areas by high sound walls. Cost & Schedule The estimated cost to construct a tunnel/outfall in today’s dollars would be $1 billion to $2 billion. Public meetings, workshops and hearings are an integral part of the facilities planning process, resulting in a decision point at the end of 2009. If the decision is made to construct a new tunnel and ocean outfall, the final design process will take approximately 3 years, followed by 8 years for construction. The entire project could be completed in 2020. Public Participation Wastewater management is vital – it is a necessity, not a convenience. The Sanitation Districts want and need your participation in this important process. Please let us know what you think. Together, we can work to protect and improve our environment for tomorrow's generation. Please register here for bulletins and updates or contact us with your comments, suggestions or questions. Back to Top		A new tunnel and ocean outfall would be located within the Band of Alternatives shown above. An example of a modem, state-of-the-art Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM). All construction is completely underground, except for the shaft sites.