Santa Monica Approved Plan for Recycled Drinking Water

The City Council voted unanimously to blend purified wastewater into the municipal drinking supply.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Utilities

Santa Monica Approved Plan for Recycled Drinking Water

Live Poll

Would you support using purified wastewater as a primary source for your city's drinking water?

Santa Monica officials have authorized a new strategy to pipe treated wastewater into the city's drinking water system. This move aims to bolster local water self-sufficiency as the city prepares for a potential supply gap by 2045.

Why it matters

The plan addresses the rising unreliability of imported water, which currently costs the city significantly more than local alternatives. It seeks to close a projected water supply deficit of 4,500 acre-feet as the city continues to grow.

Local groundwater costs $900 per acre-foot, significantly less than the $1,500 the city currently pays for imported water. The city aims to conserve 200 acre-feet of water annually over the next two decades.

The players

Santa Monica City Council

The local governing body responsible for setting municipal policy and overseeing public infrastructure projects in Santa Monica.

Metropolitan Water District

A regional cooperative that provides water to parts of Southern California and acts as a key partner for future municipal recycling efforts.

The details

Under the approved plan, the city will use the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project plant beneath the Civic Center parking lot to treat wastewater. This water will undergo additional filtration through two more treatment plants before being blended into the municipal supply at a rate of up to 10%.

The Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project plant was completed in December 2022.
The City Council approved the water strategy plan on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
An experimental Oceanwell system will be piloted in February 2027.
The city aims to maximize recycling and conservation within 5 to 10 years.
Regional recycling partnerships are expected to be operational after 2035.

Market Landscape

This move represents a strategic effort to shift away from expensive, imported water dependence and toward a self-contained circular infrastructure model. The city is aligning its operations with the 2022 Groundwater Sustainability Plan to maintain the basin's long-term health.

Residents may see long-term benefits in water security as the city transitions to lower-cost local sources. The shift aims to manage potential supply gaps without relying on more expensive imported water supplies.

The takeaway

By investing in local treatment infrastructure, the city is prioritizing a self-sufficient water future to stabilize costs for residents. Expanding household conservation efforts remains a critical step for residents to help meet the city's long-term sustainability goals.