Albert Robles Center for Water Recycling and Environmental Learning

The Water Replenishment District (WRD) manages groundwater for nearly four million residents in 43 cities of Southern Los Angeles County. The 420 square mile service area uses about 240,000 acre-feet per year (AFY) of groundwater, which equates to nearly 40 percent of the total demand for water. WRD ensures the availability of a reliable supply of high-quality groundwater through its clean water projects, water supply programs, and effective management principles. WRD established the Groundwater Reliability Improvement Program (GRIP) to find alternative sources of water to offset and replace the imported water used for replenishment in the Montebello Forebay Spreading Grounds (MFSG).

MNS provided engineering and construction management services for this $110M design-build project to construct the Advanced Water Treatment Facility (AWTF) and the associated large diameter piping and associated valves and appurtenances, concrete structures, and electrical and controls systems. The project included significant earthwork, shoring, and coordination with multiple permitting agencies. The AWTF, designed for a production capacity of 14.8 million gallons per day (MGD), enabled WRD to achieve their goal to recharge the Central Basin with up to 10,000 AFY of advanced treated recycled water. In addition, the new AWTF infrastructure is capable of expanding to an ultimate production capacity of 29.6 MGD if needed.

MNS was part of the Owner’s Agent/Owner’s Engineer (OA/OE) team managing the procurement of a progressive design-build contractor for the Albert Robles Center for Water Recycling and Environmental Learning (ARC). MNS served as Technical Advisor and provided demo/construction services, public outreach coordination, survey, constructability, design build operate (DBO) construction management, and construction inspection (civil, mechanical, and electrical). ARC objectives included providing a sustainable and reliable source of advanced treated recycled water for groundwater replenishment via the MFSG and supplemental recharge wells; implementing a cost-effective and environmentally sound project; and protecting and improving the groundwater quality of the basin.

MNS provided project management, inspection, scheduling, claims mitigation, and project administration services for the project.