Long Beach Municipal Urban Stormwater Treatment Project
(LB-MUST)
General Overview
The Long Beach Municipal Urban Stormwater Treatment (LB-MUST) Project is in the Lower Los Angeles River Watershed Area and supports the City of Long Beach’s compliance with stormwater permit requirements. The project diverts and treats polluted urban runoff and portions of first flush stormwater (the initial runoff from a storm that contains the highest concentration of pollutants) from existing stormwater pump stations along the Los Angeles River to the LB-MUST facility.
Sprinklers, car washing, constructionand other activities pollute water and flow into the storm drain year-round. Urban runoff and stormwater are further polluted by roads, spills and other sources when draining toward the river.The treatment facility has a capacity to treat 2 million gallons of water per day through ceramic ultrafiltration, media filtration and photocatalytic advanced oxidation processes (see below for brief descriptions of each filtration process).
Treated water helps to sustain the two acres of wetlands next to the facility.The constructed wetlands cover a prior industrial site which was part of the river flood plain before development. Wetlands are functioning systems that support wildlife habitats, create an outdoor recreational area and reduce pollution. Migrating and local birds come to build nests and forage for food, and plants clean water by trapping pollutants like nitrogen, phosphorus, heavy metals and sediment in roots and leaves.
The pedestrian path in the wetlands connects to the Drake Chavez Greenbelt Park, the Willmore neighborhood and the Los Angeles River Bike Path. Other amenities include seating, bike racks, a drinking fountain and interpretive signage.
Future project phases will connect to more pump stations and pilot reuse of treated water for irrigation, toilet flushing and other permitted uses. Updates on the next phase will be shared as timeline is confirmed.
During construction, the Los Angeles River Trail can be accessed from the stairs north of the LB-MUST facility construction fence or from the ramp about half a mile away, under Anaheim Street (about an eight-minute walk or two-minute bike ride from the wetlands).
Ceramic ultrafiltration
This process removes a majority of pollutants by forcing water through a porous membrane. Pollutants are trapped in membrane pores and periodically backwashed to the sanitary sewer for treatment at downstream facilities.
Media filtration
This process uses granular materials like sand and gravel to remove iron and manganese prior to the photocatalytic advanced oxidation process by periodic backwash cycles to the sanitary sewer for treatment at downstream facilities.
Photocatalytic advanced oxidation
This processuses light energy and a catalyst to destroy organic substances and break down pollutants into harmless molecules.
Updates
November 2024
Wetlands
Construction fencing was removed from the wetlands in March.The pedestrian path can be accessed from the sidewalk along West Chester Place that connects to the Willmore neighborhood or from the Drake Chavez Greenbelt path.
Stormwater Treatment Facility
Construction continues at the stormwater treatment facility throughnext year. Work to be completed includes start up of treatment equipment, exterior fencing, landscaping, pavement, sidewalks and installation of EV chargers.
October 2023
Exterior site work including landscape, hardscape and irrigation construction is underway. The outdoor portions of the project are estimated to be completed at the end of this year. Interior building construction is ongoing in preparation for commissioning and start up of stormwater treatment equipment.
The LB-MUST project team hosted a community event at the wetlands on October 14, 2023. Participants planted buffalo grass and learned about the project, construction updates, future phases, the importance of water conservationand the importance of native species.