Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant

Key facts about the Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant in Van Nuys

• Began continuous operation in 1985
• Named after Los Angeles City Engineer Donald C. Tillman 
• Process
  • Tertiary Treatment Nitrification/Denitrification (NdeN)
    • Removes the load of nitrogen and phosphorus present in the water
    • Microbial process of reducing nitrate and nitrite to gaseous forms of nitrogen, principally nitrous oxide (N 2 O) and nitrogen (N
  • Tertiary
    • Final stage of multi-stage wastewater cleaning process
    • Removes inorganic compounds, bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
  • Disinfection
    • Cleaning to destroy bacteria (usually with a chemical)
  • Dechlorination
    • Removal of chlorine from water
• Originally designed to treat 40 million gallons of wastewater per day
• Expansion in 1991 doubled the treatment to 80 million gallons of wastewater per day. (MGD)  
• Serves the area between Chatsworth and Van Nuys in the San Fernando Valley
• Japanese Garden was part of the vision of Donald C. Tillman for the Reclamation Plant
  • Six and a half acre garden was designed by world-famous designer
  • Details about the Garden including visits and tours. Link here: Garden's webpage  

The other reclamation plants for Los Angeles are

• Terminal Island Water Reclamation Plant (TIWRP) 
  • 20 miles south of downtown Los Angeles
  • Built in 1935 
  • Has undergone numerous improvements and upgrades in 1972, 1996, and 2003.
  • Serves the Harbor Area in the City of Los Angeles.
  • Capable to provide high quality tertiary treatment for up to 30 million gallons day
  • 50 wet tons per day of biosolids from TIWRP beneficially reused as soil amendment or composted
  • Six million gallons per day of recycled water used as a potable water replacement to prevent seawater intrusion
  • Virtual Tour: Tillman Virtual Tour (lacitysan.org)

• Los Angeles-Glendale Water Reclamation Plant (LAG
  • Serve east San Fernando Valley communities that are both within and outside of the Los Angeles City limits. 
  • The plant’s highly treated wastewater meets and exceeds the water quality standards for recycle water for irrigation and industrial processes. 
  • The water reuse conserves over one billion gallons of potable water per year. 
  • The plant is highly automated and staff can control processes from the onsite control room or at remote locations.
  • The plant processes approximately 20 million gallons of wastewater per day.
  • In 1976 the Los Angeles-Glendale Water Reclamation Plant started operations as the first water reclamation plant in the City.
  • Virtual tour:  LA Glendale Virtual Tour (lacitysan.org)

• Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant
  • Los Angeles'  oldest and largest wastewater treatment facility. 
  • Began operating in 1894
  • Multiple expansions and improvements have occurred over the last 100+ years.
  • Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant (lacitysan.org)
  • From 1894 until 1925, raw sewage was discharged into near-shore ocean waters at Hyperion's future location.
  • Remained in operation until 1950.
  • A second plant was built in 1957 to replace the original plant
  • A third replacement plant was  built in 1990

More News from Calabasas

• Topanga Cyn Closure: Update & Info Topanga Cyn is closed at Grand View until Sept. 2024; this blocks access to PCH. The links to upcoming events, reminder to support businesses & updates of the closure are within.
• Short-Term Rentals Ordinance Hearing Regional Planning Commission public hearing for the Short Term Rentals Ordinance is scheduled for April 24, 2024 9am at the LA County Bd of Supervisors Hearing Room or Virtually.