Calabasas CA
Pure Water Facility

An initiative focused on seasonally treating excess recycled water

In an effort to expand sustainable water reuse and ensure long-term resource reliability, the Las Virgenes – Triunfo Joint Powers Authority (JPA) launched the Pure Water Project in Calabasas, CA. This initiative focuses on seasonally treating excess recycled water when demand is low — turning it into a highly purified resource ready for storage and reuse. 

Challenge 

With growing pressure on California’s water infrastructure, the JPA needed a way to safely and effectively supplement their water supply. The goal was to introduce a new advanced treatment process that could blend purified recycled water with imported sources in the 9,800 acre-foot Las Virgenes Reservoir. But before full implementation, the JPA required a public-facing pilot: one that would build trust, demonstrate the science, and help secure regulatory approval. 

The pilot facility was developed as a multi-functional space — part advanced water treatment demonstration, part public education center. The installation showcased how water from the Tapia Water Reclamation Facility could be safely processed using advanced treatment technologies, then conveyed and stored for future use. 

ASTOUND supported the pilot by helping communicate the process clearly and confidently to the public. The experience was designed to foster community understanding and acceptance, while also providing the technical validation needed for future permitting and system scaling. 

The Pure Water Project pilot helped bridge the gap between cutting-edge water treatment and public understanding. It provided the technical data needed for state permitting, validated full-scale design parameters, and most importantly, brought transparency to a critical environmental initiative. 

By positioning education and trust at the heart of the effort, the Las Virgenes – Triunfo JPA laid the groundwork for a sustainable, scalable solution to California’s evolving water needs.