December 20, 2024
The West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin) Board of Directors approved a competitive bidding process for the operation and maintenance (O&M) of its recycled water facilities. The Board authorized staff to develop Request for Proposal (RFP) documents for the solicitation of O&M services.
The solicitation process would begin in 2024 with various assessments and span a period of approximately a year and a half. This timeframe would allow for data collection, performance framework improvements, vendor solicitation and selection, contract negotiation and agreement approval by the Board. An O&M service provider is projected to be in place by August 31, 2025.
The value of the contract is approximately $15 million per year, potentially for a five-year period. Facilities to operate and maintain include the West Basin Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility in El Segundo, Calif.; the Juanita Millender-McDonald Carson Regional Water Recycling Plant; the Chevron Nitrification Treatment Plant in El Segundo; the Torrance Refinery Water Recycling Plant; and the Hyperion Secondary Effluent Pump Station in Playa del Rey.
“The West Basin Board supports a thorough and transparent solicitation process as we evolve our recycled water operations, services, and achievement toward a secure water future,” said Board President and Division IV Director Scott Houston. “After more than 30 years of delivering more than 250 billion gallons of sustainable recycled water to our communities, we are at a pivotal moment with the opportunity to increase regional collaboration and greater water deliveries. By taking action today, we are providing clear direction to our staff to hit the new year running to advance these objectives.”
The unanimous Board decision follows input from an ad hoc committee that began in July, and a November 2023 staff report on contract operations. At the November meeting, the Board approval of an eight-month extension of the current contract operator’s service agreement to allow for the potential of a solicitation process. The full staff reports are available on the District board agenda webpage (Direct PDF links here: Nov. report link ; Dec. report link).
The West Basin recycled water program helps ensure water supply reliability to its communities and region at large by producing a locally-controlled, sustainable source of water. West Basin began recycling water in the early 1990s after a major drought in the 1980s. Today, West Basin produces up to 40 million gallons a day of recycled water for irrigation, industrial, and seawater barrier purposes and serves more than 450 customer connections. The program allows dedicated customers to use less imported water, conserve drinking water, and improve ocean water quality by diverting wastewater from the ocean. Learn more at www.westbasin.org/recycledwater.
