As climate change continues to challenge Los Angeles' water supplies and with direct potable reuse legislation on the horizon, reclaimed and recycled water will become increasingly vital to meet the city’s demands. Join the Pacific Council on Tuesday, October 22, for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant, one of the nation’s largest wastewater treatment facilities. This tour includes a unique opportunity to engage with Los Angeles’ water treatment experts, discussing the impacts of climate change on our water supply and the future role of water reclamation in LA homes.

Pacific Council members will gain valuable insights, including:

• An in-depth look at how one of the nation’s largest wastewater treatment facilities is at the forefront of water reclamation.
• Insights into Los Angeles’ sustainability efforts and the political aspects of waste and water.
• An update on the One Water 2040 Plan and the future of Los Angeles tap water.

This unique opportunity will highlight the connections between climate change, water sustainability in the LA basin, and the future of water reclamation. Join us for an essential and interactive conversation about one of our most critical resources: clean water.

About LA’s Environment Learning Center at Hyperion

The Environmental Learning Center (ELC) teaches people about the management of sustainable water and solid resources in Los Angeles. The ELC was developed as an engaging, interactive learning environment that not only explains sustainable principles for everyday life but also demonstrates these principles. So, as visitors look around, they will see water and solid materials recycling on-site, continuous conservation, environmentally friendly building materials, a green roof, and many more examples of sustainable principles in action. Visitors to the ELC will better understand the City’s work to protect public health and the environment.

Through interactive exhibits, visitors will learn the essential role of every individual in the future of clean water treatment and conservation, watershed protection, and the management of solid resources. ELC hopes that after visiting, visitors will discover a fantastic resource for environmental education and where thousands of Angelenos of all ages will be inspired to adopt sustainable practices in their daily lives, thus becoming much-needed—and much more effective—stewards of the environment. For more information, please visit their website here.

Guest Speaker

Barbara Romero is a native Angelena born and raised in East Los Angeles and Boyle Heights and was appointed Deputy Mayor of City Services by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti in March 2015. In this role, she ensures that the mayor’s priorities are implemented by 15 departments representing thousands of workers and more than $5 billion in annual budgets, including Aging, Animal Services, Cultural Affairs, Disability, the El Pueblo Historical Monument, the Library, Public Works (Bureaus of Contract Administration, Engineering, Sanitation, Street Lighting, and Street Services), Recreation and Parks, Transportation, Water and Power, the Zoo, and their associated boards and commissions.

Romero also oversees projects and programs aligned with the mayor's initiatives involving the Metro and Metropolitan Water District. Additionally, she implements mayoral executive directives, primarily focusing on sustainability, climate change response, equity, and youth sports development in preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Some of her notable environmental achievements in the Garcetti Administration include establishing/co-leading the Mayoral Water Cabinet, facilitating the City’s acquisition of the Taylor Yard G2 parcel for $60 million, ensuring $465 million was included in Measure M for completion of the LA River trail system in the San Fernando Valley and through Downtown LA, and leading the City’s efforts in support of the passage of County Measures A (parks) and W (stormwater). To implement Measure W (the Safe, Clean Water Program), Romero co-chairs the Countywide Regional Oversight Committee. Prior to her service as deputy mayor, Mayor Garcetti appointed her to serve as a commissioner on the City’s Board of Public Works, overseeing the Bureau of Sanitation.

Guest Speaker

Hubertus “Huub” Cox, PhD, is the Principal Environmental Engineer and Water Recycling Implementation Division (WRID) Manager with LA Sanitation and Environment (LASAN). Huub began his career with LASAN in 2002 as an Engineering Associate, working on the Class A biosolids certification of Terminal Island Water Reclamation Plant (TIWRP) and Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant (HWRP), and also working in HWRP’s Air Pollution Control Program.

In 2007, he moved to the Watershed Protection Program and in 2010, became Acting Sr. Engineer, and Assistant Division Manager in 2016. Huub was responsible for meeting the water quality regulations in Santa Monica Bay and Ballona Creek watersheds. Huub was instrumental in developing the Enhanced Watershed Management Programs for meeting the MS4 Permit and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) requirements, the development of the Ballona Creek Bacteria TMDL Project and, more recently, the work on the Safe Clean Water Program.

Huub has a M.Sc. and PhD in chemical and environmental engineering and is a Professional Chemical Engineer.

Guest Speaker

Hi Sang Kim is the LA Sanitation & Environment Acting Hyperion Executive Plant Manager overseeing operations at the City’s four water reclamation plants and programs to produce recycled water for potable use by using advanced treatment technologies to treat 100 percent of the City’s wastewater.

Hi Sang is an alumnus of the University of California, Berkeley with a professional certification in Chemical Engineering and also holds a Grade IV Wastewater Treatment Operator certification with the state of California.

He started his City career in 1985 honing his knowledge and extensive experience in process engineering, water and energy conservation, biosolids management, plant operations and management, environmental regulations, wastewater treatment, and project management. That has led to the successful implementation of project management on treatment process improvement, optimization, and energy savings.

Moderator

Wendy Phillips is a retired engineering geologist/hydrogeologist. She began her career over forty years ago in exploration (precious and base metals in the western US). She then branched into mineral/energy project finance (asset-based lending against the value of reserves). For the last 20 years of her career, she regulated groundwater quality and aquifer recharge for a California state agency.

Phillips and her husband, Dave Hilliker, live in Manhattan Beach, where she enjoys using her geologic background to help members of her community enhance their understanding of environmental, land use, and development issues. She has volunteered with the League of Women Voters, CA Urban Water Conservation Council, and CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) and served on the City of Manhattan Beach’s first Environmental Task Force.