City Moves to Build a Stormwater Treatment Facility

Shimmick Construction Company will build the Long Beach Municipal Urban Stormwater Treatment facility (LB-MUST). Located near the Shoemaker Bridge at 901 De Forest Ave. in Long Beach.

Eric Lopez, the director of Long Beach Public Works, shared in the City Council meeting on July 6, plans and goals are to gain sustainability, increase wetlands, add to public education, environmental stewardship, create trails, overall community enhancement and to recycle water.

“There are three main water treatment goals that will help us improve water quality within our beaches, because we will be able to treat the water before entering the river and then ending up in our water front,” Lopez, said.

This project has been on the radar and in talks over the years, however phase I, will cost an estimated $44 million. Yet the City of Long Beach will not be absorbing all the costs rather it will be a combined effort financially. The other contributors will be:

• $428,000 from the City of Long Beach
• $1 million from Measure A funds
• $1 million from the Port of Long Beach
• $2 million from Prop 1 – Rivers and Mountain Conservancy
• $10.8 million from Measure W-Regional Program funds
• $28 million from Caltrans
• $500,000 from California Coastal Conservancy

“I am glad to know that the LB-MUST Facility will be able to capture and clean the storm water that reduces our water pollution,” Councilwoman Mary Zendejas of the 1st District, said.

This LB-MUST development will not only bring the clean water to Long Beach, but it will be another inspiration to add beautification to the area and a place for residence to go walk and relax and admire the city they call home. This will add to the West Long Beach integration plan and the existing Drake Chavez Greenbelt and artificial sports field, that opened in 2018.

The LB-MUST team and contractors collaborated with experienced organizations such as the Aquarium of the Pacific and the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, to make this educational concept as well. Adding this sector will enhance the education system where students of all levels can learn the importance of recycled water.

The construction of this plan started last year with the street and ground portion of the job, however the phase I part of this innovative creation, will begin with the facility starting during the summer and the wetlands proceeding in the fall.

The goal in mind is to have this master plan concluded in 2023.