Contractors selected to build major desalination expansion

• $160 million project to expand desalination facility.
• Fresh water for 88,000 residents by treating salty groundwater.
• Full-scale production expected by 2027.

December 3, 2024 — The McCarthy-Jacobs joint venture has been selected to design and build the Torrance Groundwater Desalter Expansion, aiming to provide a drought-resilient water supply for over 88,000 residents.  The facility is a critical component of the Water Replenishment District of Southern California’s Brackish Groundwater Reclamation Program and its larger “WIN 4 ALL” initiative.

Turning Brackish Water into a Resource.

The expanded facility will tap into the West Coast Groundwater Basin, where brackish water—water that is saltier than freshwater but not as salty as seawater—has long been considered unusable. By employing advanced reverse osmosis membrane technology, the plant will remove salts and impurities, producing high-quality drinking water. This project could be pioneering in using nano filtration and reverse osmosis treatment for municipal brackish water.

Collaboration for Innovation.

“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 in southern California,” said Jacobs Senior Vice President Katus Watson. “The progressive design-build delivery model allows us to work collaboratively to minimize cost, reduce risk, streamline construction, and improve schedule performance to fast-track the completion of this state-of-the-art facility.”

Sagrado Sparks, McCarthy’s Water Group Vice President, added, “As water resources in the West are increasingly strained, advanced water treatment technologies are providing excellent solutions for communities like Torrance to ensure a sustainable and resilient water supply.”

Local Water Independence.

Set to increase the capacity of the existing Robert W. Goldsworthy Desalter Facility, the expansion aims to deliver up to 9 million gallons of additional drinking water per day. This will significantly reduce the city’s reliance on imported water, fostering local water independence. The project also includes the construction of new groundwater extraction wells and raw water pipelines, with full-scale production targeted for 2027.

The project’s success could pave the way for more widespread adoption of advanced desalination technologies, contributing to water security in drought-prone areas.

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Image:

The Robert W. Goldworthy Desalter Facility via Water Replenishment District website.

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