2017 Excellence in Environmental Engineering and Science® Awards Competition Winner

Grand Prize - Design

Groundwater Reliability Improvement Project (GRIP)

Entrant: Water Replenishment District of Southern California (WRD)
Engineer in Charge: Robb Whitaker, P.E.
Location: Pico Rivera, California
Media Contact: Lyndsey Bloxom, WRD

Entrant Profile

The Water Replenishment District of Southern California (WRD or District) is the regional groundwater management agency that protects and preserves the quantity and quality of groundwater in the Central Basin and the West Coast Basin. The service area is home to nearly half of Los Angeles County residents and over ten percent of California's population residing in 43 cities in southern Los Angeles County. Thirteen years ago, the District set a goal to eliminate use of water imported from the Colorado River and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta for groundwater replenishment and replace it with locally sustainable water supply sources.

The Groundwater Reliability Improvement Project (GRIP) is the cornerstone of that effort. The project consists of construction and operation of a 9 million gallon per day (10,000 acre-feet per year) water treatment facility, a visitor and education center, renewable energy facilities, a water transmission pipeline to the Montebello Forebay Spreading Grounds and a brine discharge pipeline. GRIP will contribute to a new, local, drought-proof, high-quality recycled water supply for groundwater replenishment in the Central Basin, and will offset use of imported water for replenishment within WRD's service area. Construction of GRIP got underway in 2016 and will be completed in summer 2018.

WRD selected a design-build team led by J.F. Shea Construction, Inc., Tetra Tech and PERC Water to facilitate the design and construction of GRIP.

Project Description

As Southern California faces a future of critically reduced water imports, methods to utilize local supplies are increasingly important. Nearly 60% of the water supply is imported from either the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta or the Colorado River to the Los Angeles region. The Water Replenishment District's (WRD's) Water Independence Now (WIN) Program is instrumental in alleviating the region's dependence on vulnerable state water supplies. By committing to eliminate imported water for groundwater replenishment, WRD has set the standard for other water agencies to create positive change with safe, sustainable, and local water supply projects.

A cornerstone of WIN is the Groundwater Recovery Improvement Project (GRIP). This multi-benefit, multi-jurisdictional project-currently under construction-includes a state-of-the art advanced water treatment facility (AWTF) to produce high-quality water, an adjacent operations building, learning center, renewable energy facilities, and an attractive, recreational landscape to protect water quality in the adjacent San Gabriel River. The AWTF will produce 10,000 acre-feet per year of ultra-pure recycled water to replenish the Central Groundwater Basin, eliminating the use of water imports for this purpose. Clean water produced by the facility will be percolated or injected into underground aquifers to replenish groundwater, which serves as a partial water supply for over 4 million people in the WRD service area.

WRD is pursuing a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) v4 certification through the U.S. Green Building Council. The project is designed for LEED Gold certification, which is defined as 60 to 79 credits achieved by design and construction practices to reduce transportation impacts, implement sustainable design practices, achieve higher water use efficiency, reduce energy consumption and atmosphere impacts, reuse materials, improve indoor environmental quality, and incorporate reviews by LEED accredited professionals. GRIP is designed to achieve a credit value of at least 77, and potentially as much as 94.

Integrated Approach

The GRIP design includes layouts that are cost effective, efficient, and "operator friendly." Significant design elements include: optimized energy use in the treatment process and facility operations, use of recycled materials, on-site stormwater capture, photovoltaic solar panels, dual plumbing to reduce potable water consumption by 50%, and use of low emitting / low volatile organic compound construction materials. Building placement optimizes existing sun, thermal and wind conditions. The AWTF facility will utilize porous pavement, bio-retention basins, pipeline, and infiltration to capture, convey and recharge stormwater.

The landscape design suggests the San Gabriel River channel and groundwater replenishment functions. Reclaimed water and captured stormwater will flow through a wetland to a central basin where it can be diverted to the AWTF for treatment. Demonstration gardens will educate the public about drought- tolerant plants, native habitats, and butterfly gardening. Permeable paths and interpretive signs will give the public access and a better understanding of the science behind the design. Figures 6 and 7 show key landscape elements.

Originality and Innovation

WRD engaged with the community and developed an education program specifically for GRIP. This innovative approach engaged the public as advisors in the design of the facility and grounds (as illustrated in Figure 8) and created a greater understanding of the treatment and safety of highly-purified recycled water. WRD organized a design charrette for local residents to contribute ideas for the design. Residents' ideas inspired many features, including the Learning Center, paths and walkways, and native plant areas.

WRD is demonstrating leadership to other public agencies by showcasing sustainability in the design of GRIP. The AWTF will meet the delivery capability requirements while achieving the smallest footprint and lowest capital and operation costs, and the architecture and landscape are interesting and inviting.

GRIP also demonstrated originality and innovation through the project delivery process. WRD is utilizing a fixed-price Design-Build contract for quick delivery of the project. The Design-Build approach ensures that WRD receives the maximum value for its investment without adversely impacting ratepayers.

Complexity

Use of recycled water for groundwater replenishment is highly regulated to ensure protection of public health and water quality. The GRIP design meets the stringent regulatory requirements of the State of California and the Regional Water Quality Control Board.

The AWTF incorporates state-of-the art technology for the multi-barrier treatment process, and a chemical storage and feed equipment for conditioning, stabilizing and membrane cleaning. The treatment system consists of the industry standard for indirect potable reuse projects, that being a 100% ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet light advanced oxidation process.

Three injection wells were drilled to enable aquifer storage by injection, during the wet season when percolation is limited.

Proximity to the San Gabriel River made water quality protection imperative. This is achieved with on- site stormwater features. Adjacent residential neighborhoods and a scarcity of parks made public access, green space and education important features.

Quality

The WRD Board of Directors, as well as local residents, have expressed overwhelming approval of the design and the overall project. GRIP is designed to achieve LEED v4 Gold certification and meet durability requirements for structures, facilities and equipment. A comprehensive Project Durability Plan addresses all the applicable standards for civil, structural, electrical, instrumentation and controls. The Asset Management Plan was developed concurrent with the project design. Maintenance, repair, replacement and operation of facilities and equipment will occur in accordance with the warranty requirements.

Social and Economic Advancement

Many community enhancements are being achieved with GRIP. The project site was previously occupied by a trash hauler. The old buildings were deconstructed. A community design charrette brought together residents of local neighborhoods to contribute ideas for the GRIP project design. As a result, WRD will create many public access and environmental education opportunities suggested by residents. Key features will include: park-like open space with pathways and demonstration gardens in the San Gabriel River corridor; walking trails, benches, and restrooms; multi-lingual and directional signage; and demonstration gardens for water conservation, native plants, butterflies, and stormwater capture. GRIP will also include almost 27,000 sf of visitor facilities including an amphitheater, conference room, educational displays, and interpretive features.

Click images to enlarge in separate window.


GRIP Architectural Rendering. The Water Replenishment District's (WRD's) Water Independence Now (WIN) Program is instrumental in alleviating the region's dependence on vulnerable state water supplies. A cornerstone of WIN is the Groundwater Recovery Improvement Project (GRIP). This multi- benefit, multi-jurisdictional project-currently under construction-includes a state-of-the art advanced water treatment facility (AWTF) to produce high-quality water, an adjacent operations building, learning center, renewable energy facilities, and attractive, recreational landscape to protect water quality in the adjacent San Gabriel River. The AWTF will produce 10,000 acre-feet per year of ultra-pure recycled water to replenish the Central Groundwater Basin, eliminating the use of water imports for this purpose. Clean water produced by the facility will be percolated or injected into underground aquifers to replenish the groundwater, which serves as a partial water supply for over 4 million people in the WRD service area.	Integrated and Innovative GRIP Design. The GRIP design includes layouts that are cost effective, efficient, and "operator friendly." Significant design elements include: optimized energy use in the treatment process and facility operations, use of recycled materials, on-site stormwater capture, photovoltaic solar panels, dual plumbing to reduce potable water consumption by 50%, and use of low emitting / low volatile organic compound construction materials. Building placement optimizes existing sun, thermal and wind conditions. The AWTF facility will utilize porous pavement, bio-retention basins, pipeline, and infiltration to capture, convey and recharge stormwater. The landscape design suggests the San Gabriel River channel and groundwater replenishment functions. Reclaimed water and captured stormwater will flow through a wetland to a central basin where it can be diverted to the AWTF for treatment. Demonstration gardens will educate the public about drought-tolerant plants, native habitats, and butterfly gardening. Permeable paths and interpretive signs will give the public access and a better understanding of the science behind the design.

GRIP Site. The GRIP AWTF is being built on a 5.2 acre property adjacent to the San Gabriel River in the City of Pico Rivera. Deconstruction of the existing structures on site was completed in spring 2016 and supporting projects including recharge well construction, brine disposal pipeline construction, and street improvements commenced shortly after. Environmental monitoring was conducted throughout the deconstruction process and will continue through all stages of construction. WRD has an agreement with J. F. Shea Construction to complete the design and construction of the GRIP facility, which will be fully operational by July 2018.	WRD Board of Directors, General Manager, and Assistant General Manager at the GRIP Groundbreaking Ceremony. WRD held a Groundbreaking ceremony on September 22, 2016. Elected officials, schools, and the community were invited to attend the official start of construction at the GRIP site. It was attended by over 250 people. WRD continues to connect with the community with events and updates about the project. WRD is demonstrating leadership to other public agencies by showcasing sustainability in the design of GRIP. The AWTF will meet the delivery capability requirements while achieving the smallest footprint and lowest capital and operation costs, and the architecture and landscape are interesting and inviting. GRIP also demonstrated originality and innovation through the project delivery process. WRD is utilizing a fixed-price Design-Build contract for quick delivery of the project. The Design-Build approach ensures that WRD receives the maximum value for its investment without adversely impacting rate payers.

Initial Stages of GRIP Construction. WRD is pursuing a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) v4 certification through the U.S. Green Building Council. The project is designed for LEED Gold certification, which is defined as 60 to 79 credits achieved by design and construction practices to reduce transportation impacts, implement sustainable design practices, achieve higher water use efficiency, reduce energy consumption and atmosphere impacts, reuse materials, improve indoor environmental quality, and incorporate reviews by LEED accredited professionals. GRIP is designed to achieve a credit value of at least 77, and potentially as much as 94.

GRIP Architectural Rendering of Key Landscape Elements. WRD engaged with the community and developed an education program specifically for GRIP. This innovative approach engaged the public as advisors in the design of the facility and grounds and created a greater understanding of the treatment and safety of highly-purified recycled water. WRD organized a design charrette for local residents to contribute ideas for the design. Residents' ideas inspired many features, including the Learning Center, paths and walkways, and native plant areas.

GRIP Architectural Rendering of Learning Center, AWTF and Grounds. The Learning Center will have pedestrian access to the rooftop. The roof will be utilized as a green rooftop terrace and learning space that include a sitting area and demonstration gardens for the public to learn about water conservation and native plants. WRD plans to hold classes on water conservation as part of their Education Program and Eco-Gardener Program. The AWTF incorporates state-of-the art technology for a complex water treatment process which includes a pipeline system, multi-barrier treatment process, and a chemical storage and feed equipment for conditioning, stabilizing and membrane cleaning. The treatment system consists of the industry standard for indirect potable reuse projects which is a 100% ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet light advanced oxidation process.	GRIP Architectural Rendering of Water Feature and Amphitheater. Many community enhancements are being achieved with GRIP. The project site was previously occupied by a trash hauler. The old buildings were deconstructed. A community design charrette brought together residents of local neighborhoods to contribute ideas for the GRIP project design. As a result, WRD will create many public access and environmental education opportunities suggested by residents. Key features will include: park-like open space with pathways and demonstration gardens in the San Gabriel River corridor; walking trails, benches, and restrooms; multi-lingual and directional signage; and demonstration gardens for water conservation, native plants, butterflies, and stormwater capture. GRIP will also include almost 27,000 sf of visitor facilities including an amphitheater, conference room, educational displays, and interpretive features.

GRIP Architectural Rendering of Learning Center Lobby. The GRIP Learning Center will be used as a space to connect community visitors, including schools, to the concepts of water resource management, replenishment, and purification, WRD's history and role as a water management agency, and its existing projects and programs. Media and exhibits created under this project will serve as tools to enhance the visitor's experience of the various spaces while effectively communicating the story of the organization.