The Energy and Environment Committee of Los Angeles City convened on November 22, 2024, to address critical issues surrounding water management and sustainability. The meeting began with public comments, where a resident expressed frustration over rising water costs, comparing them to car payments and questioning the rationale behind the price increases despite recent heavy rainfall. The speaker called for immediate action to lower water rates, highlighting concerns about transparency and accountability within the council.

Following public comments, the committee moved to vote on several consent items, which were approved with a majority vote. The discussion then shifted to a significant agenda item regarding the collaboration between the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) and the Bureau of Sanitation. This item focused on the city's progress toward achieving its 2035 local water targets.

Sanitation General Manager Barbara Romero and DWP representative Anselmo Collins presented a video outlining the importance of developing local water sources to enhance resilience against climate change. They emphasized that Los Angeles currently imports about 90% of its water, a practice deemed unsustainable due to ongoing drought conditions.

The presentation detailed plans for advanced recycled water projects aimed at producing highly purified water. The proposed facility will upgrade existing treatment processes at the Tillman plant, incorporating microfiltration, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet advanced oxidation to ensure high-quality water for the community. This initiative is expected to generate up to 20 million gallons of water per day, which will be used to recharge the San Fernando Basin, thereby enhancing the city’s water supply during dry periods.

The committee underscored the long-term benefits of these projects, noting their significance for future generations in ensuring access to safe and clean drinking water. The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue pursuing innovative solutions for sustainable water management in Los Angeles.