Like father, like son: a legacy of water treatment that spans generations

Mounted proudly on the wall of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) building, a plaque commemorates the project design team behind one of the most groundbreaking water treatment facilities in the nation, Los Angeles Aqueduct Filtration Plant—and means a lot more to me than most people who walk past it every day would ever know. It also marks the successful first year of operation of what was then the largest direct filtration plant in the United States, the first in the country to implement ozone treatment and the second largest ozone plant in the world. Among the names etched into the plaques is my father, who served as the resident engineer on the project. The design, a joint venture with Brown and Caldwell, was led by Camp, Dresser and McKee (CDM), the firm I would later join myself, now known as CDM Smith.

As an 8-year-old kid, I toured the plant with my father while it was still under construction. At the time, I had no idea I’d one day work for the same firm that designed the plant he oversaw being constructed and eventually managed. 

Completed in 1986, the plant could treat up to 600 million gallons of water per day using ozone and rapid-rate deep bed filtration. As an 8-year-old kid, I toured the plant with my father while it was still under construction. At the time, I had no idea I’d one day work for the same firm that designed the plant he oversaw being constructed and eventually managed. I still remember the time he helped me build a water treatment display board for my elementary school science fair, complete with process flow diagrams. It was my first glimpse into the world of engineering. Though I was always passionate about water treatment, it wasn’t until much later that I found my path as a technical specialist in water treatment design.

While the core principles of water treatment haven’t changed significantly since the 1980s, the challenges we face today are far more complex. Stricter regulations, climate change and population growth have intensified the demand for water—without increasing its supply. Today I serve as one of the facility leads on the Fairmont Sedimentation Project for LADWP, an extension of their filtration system, to tackle those demands.

Engineers are problem-solvers and visionaries—and at CDM Smith, I feel that every day. We’re not just tackling tomorrow’s challenges; we’re building on the legacy of those who came before us, shaping a future that inspires and empowers the next generation of engineering and design. I’m proud to be part of a firm whose impact transcends time, driving progress through innovation, purpose and enduring leadership. That legacy is especially clear in the work we do to protect and advance water solutions. We know we have to find innovative ways to mitigate modern water quality threats while applying both emerging and foundational technologies. That quick stop to see the plaque bearing my father’s name was more than a moment of reflection—it was a powerful reminder of the legacy built by generations of engineers before us, and the enduring foundations and lessons CDM Smith continues to carry forward at LADWP today.

Jason Yoshimura is a technical specialist in our Carlsbad, California office.