Public Works

Alamitos Bay Water Quality Enhancement

Additional project updates and information will be published on an on-going basis.

Latest Updates - April 2023

Preliminary engineering design for the project is underway and anticipated to conclude this year. This information will be used to inform environmental documentation, permitting, and anticipated project costs. The City continues to evaluate funding opportunities for final design, construction, operations, maintenance, and monitoring for the project.

The California State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) is the regulatory agency overseeing the statewide Water Quality Control Policy on the Use of Coastal and Estuarine Waters for Power Plant Cooling (Once-Through Cooling or OTC Policy). Information regarding their draft policy amendment to extend the compliance date of Alamitos Units 3, 4, 5, and other units in the state for three years from December 31, 2023, to December 31, 2026 is available at: https://bit.ly/swbcwa316b.

On February 9, 2023, a project update presentation was given to the Maine Advisory Commission.

Project Information

The Alamitos Bay Water Quality Enhancement (ABWQE) Project protects water quality in Alamitos Bay by maintaining existing water circulation with new fish-friendly pumps that bypass power plant cooling operations. Alamitos Bay is a highly utilized coastal resource for aquatic recreation and is subject to high levels of human contact year-round which include recreation, hosting local and international aquatic events, and supporting future aquatic events for the 2028 Olympic Games. The Once-Through-Cooling (OTC) Pumps at AES Alamitos have provided forced tidal circulation in Alamitos Bay for over 57 years and are scheduled to be phased out at the end of 2023 under current State regulations. Maintaining circulation with new fish-friendly pumps promotes water quality that is safe for human contact and safe for fish in the bay.

Project Funding

Preliminary engineering for this project is funded by Tidelands Funds and along with a contribution from AES Alamitos.

Project Contact

colin.averill@longbeach.gov

More Information

• Alamitos Bay Water Quality Enhancement Project Marine Advisory Commission Presentation - February 9, 2023
• Alamitos Bay Water Quality Enhancement Project City Council Presentation - June 21, 2022
• Alamitos Bay Water Quality Enhancement Project Presentation - February 23, 2021
• Alamitos Bay Water Quality Enhancement Project Update - Memo to the Mayor and City Council - October 26, 2020
• Modeling and Alternatives Analysis for Water Quality Improvements in Alamitos Bay
• Evaluation of Using Existing Alamitos Generating Station Intake System to Maintain Water Quality in Alamitos Bay
• Modeling of Water Residence Time within Alamitos Bay
• Alamitos Bay Circulation Report