Recycled Water

water tank with purple pipe fitting and worker in the background

Recycled water saves precious potable water supplies that would otherwise need to be used for industrial non-potable water needs and the irrigation of city parks, California State University Long Beach and the Long Beach Unified School District, in addition to several large parks, golf courses, cemeteries and athletic fields.

Long Beach Water Reclamation Plant (LBWRP), is located on the east side of the city. The plant is owned and operated by the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County. LBWRP treats approximately 18 million gallons per day of wastewater to stringent regulatory standards for disinfected tertiary recycled (or reclaimed) water, meaning it has undergone treatment for a wide range of contaminants, including nutrients such as nitrate and phosphate.

Additional information and resources about recycled water:


Regional Investment in Recycled Water

purewater graphics logo

Long Beach Utilities is partnering with Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and the L.A. County Sanitation Districts to invest in the Pure Water Southern California project, which would allow us to reuse water currently sent to the ocean for irrigation and industrial use, recharge of local groundwater basins and other non-potable uses.

Pure Water is currently in the environmental study phase, and you can give your input! Learn more and submit your comments at mwdh2o.com/purewater.


Reclaimed / Recycled Water Resources

The recycled water that is distributed in the City of Long Beach is categorized as “disinfected tertiary recycled water.” This water has undergone treatment for a wide range of contaminants, including nutrients such as nitrate and phosphate, and is filtered and disinfected prior to the water being distributed.