Santa Monica takes landmark step toward water self-sufficiency

The City of Santa Monica, California, has taken a significant step toward a self-reliant water future as expansions to the Arcadia Water Treatment Plant (WTP) and restorations to the Olympic Well Field break ground. The key water infrastructure improvements are a component of the city’s goal of becoming water self-sufficient by 2023.

Santa Monica’s water system comprises groundwater basins, treatment facilities, and imported water connections to serve 18,000 customers with an average annual water demand of approximately 11,600 acre-ft per year (AFY). About 50 to 60 percent of its water supply is from local groundwater resources. The remainder consists of imported water.