2023 saw us complete the fourth mile of the 7-mile-long Clearwater tunnel, which will protect local waterways by addressing aging infrastructure. We continued to engage with community groups in the project area, keeping them informed about the tunnel's progress through meetings and updates. We are appreciative of the positive feedback and look forward to sharing more as our tunnel boring machine, Rachel, builds the remaining 3 miles of tunnel. We were also delighted to see schools in Carson, Wilmington, Harbor City and San Pedro take advantage of the free educational boat trips we offered aboard the Marine Science Floating Lab. For many students, it was their first time on a boat. We hope that learning how the watershed can impact marine life will motivate the students to be stewards of the environment. We also provided free tours of our largest wastewater treatment plant, which serves 5 million people. Students learned how we convert sewage into clean water, green energy and compost. Stay tuned for more updates on the tunnel and our community initiatives!

Our largest wastewater treatment plant, previously known as the Joint Water Pollution Control Plant, has been renamed to better reflect its role in helping the community be more sustainable. During our centennial celebration event on October 26, 2023, the facility was officially renamed the A.K. Warren Water Resource Facility (Warren Facility). We are proud to honor the legacy of A.K. Warren, the Sanitation Districts' first Chief Engineer and the visionary behind our regional sewer system.

The Sanitation Districts seek to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and environmental stewards. We are excited to announce the continuation of our popular educational programs for schools in our service area.

Sign up for our tours and presentations:

• Get a firsthand look at our wastewater treatment plant! Our tours offer students a unique opportunity to learn how we convert sewage into clean water, green energy and compost.
  
  
• Discover the fascinating world of tunnel construction! Our new presentation delves into the fascinating process of building a modern tunnel, using engaging visuals and demonstrations to spark student interest in STEM fields.
  
  
• Explore the marine life of Los Angeles Harbor! In collaboration with the Think Earth Foundation, we are offering 19 free boat trips this year for students in grades 4 to 6. These 3-hour trips provide hands-on learning experiences about marine life and environmental responsibility. We are coordinating with the Los Angeles Unified School District South to book schools in Carson, Wilmington, Harbor City and San Pedro.

To request a tour or presentation, click here.

In October, we hosted an art contest open to students in grades 1 through 12. The theme of the contest was "Using Science and Technology to Protect our Waterways." We were thrilled by the creativity and insight students demonstrated in their artwork, which explored a wide range of ideas related to the theme. The elementary school winner was Geo Shin, a fifth-grade student at Park Western Place Elementary School. The high school winner was Jayden McCoy-Flores, an eleventh-grade student at Mary Star of the Sea High School. Winners received gift cards and the winning artwork is on display at https://www.clearwater.lacsd.org/2023ArtContestWinners.asp. Congratulations to all winners and a big "thank you" to all participants. We look forward to seeing your creativity in future contests.

As we bid farewell to a true star of our Clearwater team, we reflect on Basil Hewitt's remarkable journey from the inception of the Clearwater Project to the ongoing tunnel construction. His pivotal role in community engagement, marked by countless presentations to community groups, has left an indelible impact on our stakeholders.

Basil's dedication to serving the public and warm personality have made him a familiar and welcome presence within the community. As he embarks on his next chapter, his absence will undoubtedly be felt. The Clearwater team extends heartfelt wishes to Basil for a retirement filled with joy, relaxation and endless adventures. Cheers to a well-deserved retirement, Basil!