Los Angeles Upgrades 1955 Wastewater Station for Extreme Weather Resilience

Decades-old infrastructure gets a 21st-century overhaul. How Los Angeles is future-proofing its wastewater systems against storms and blackouts.

, and Administrator

2026 January 5 . 4:06 AM

1 min read

In this image we can see a few buildings, there are some poles, lights and windows, at the top of... — In this image we can see a few buildings, there are some poles, lights and windows, at the top of the building it looks like a water tank.

Los Angeles Upgrades 1955 Wastewater Station for Extreme Weather Resilience

Los Angeles has completed a $17 million upgrade to the Bayshore Wastewater Pumping Station, a facility first built in 1955. The project aimed to improve reliability and prepare for extreme weather, ensuring the station can keep running even during power cuts or storms. Funding came from the city’s long-term sustainability programme, backed by local voters.

The Bayshore station serves nearby homes, businesses and schools, collecting wastewater for treatment. Originally opened over 65 years ago, its ageing systems needed modernisation to prevent failures and handle future demands.

Two additional pumps were installed, increasing the total to four. A new standby generator now provides backup power for up to three days if the mains supply fails. Electrical equipment, once at risk of flooding, was also relocated above ground into a reinforced green building designed to resist storm surges and hurricane-force winds. This project forms part of Los Angeles’s wider $2.9 billion Progressive Infrastructure Plan to Ensure Sustainability (PIPES). The city is currently upgrading 30 other wastewater pumping stations under the same programme.

The improvements ensure the Bayshore station can operate continuously, even in severe weather or during equipment faults. With stronger backup systems and flood-resistant design, the facility is now better prepared for future challenges. The work also aligns with Los Angeles’s broader efforts to modernise its ageing wastewater infrastructure.