Officials in Torrance, Calif., have launched a major expansion of groundwater desalination to increase local drinking water supplies and reduce reliance on imported water.

On June 10, the Water Replenishment District (WRD) and the City of Torrance held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Torrance Groundwater Desalter Expansion Project.

The project will expand the Robert W. Goldsworthy Desalter, a WRD-owned facility operated by the city. Once complete, the upgraded plant will produce up to 8.71 billion L (22.3 billion gal) of drinking water annually.

WRD is a local government agency that manages and replenishes groundwater resources across parts of Los Angeles County. The desalter treats brackish groundwater drawn from a 36 m² (14 mi²) section of the West Coast Groundwater Basin beneath Torrance and the South Bay region.

Project leaders say the expansion will nearly double the facility’s treatment capacity. The additional capacity will improve groundwater quality and increase the supply of locally produced drinking water.

“Since 2001, the Torrance Groundwater Desalter has proven that brackish groundwater can be transformed into potable water for Torrance residents,” said WRD director Rob Katherman during the ceremony.

Torrance Mayor George Chen said the project will help address longstanding groundwater challenges in the South Bay.

WRD has secured more than $82 million in grants and low-interest loans to support the project.

Construction is underway, with the expanded facility scheduled to begin operations in 2029.