Tour examines water issues

If you've ever wondered how wastewater is safely returned to the environment, the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District and the Triunfo Sanitation District will host a tour that will answer those questions.

On Sat., Sept. 29, the water agencies will conduct a free tour of the local facilities that process and treat wastewater. District employees will discuss the challenges they encounter, from infrastructure issues to the ins and outs of converting wastewater into recycled water suitable for commercial irrigation and garden compost.

According to Jeff Reinhardt, customer service and public affairs manager at the Las Virgenes district, participants will learn about the district's commitment to "total beneficial use" of wastewater conversion practices.

The bus tour is slated from 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. A complimentary breakfast will be served at the Las Virgenes district headquarters, located at 4232 Las Virgenes Road, in Calabasas. A light lunch will be served after the tour, followed by a question and answer session.

The event is free to anyone living in the Las Virgenes or Triunfo services area, which includes the cities of Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Oak Park, Westlake Village an parts of Thousand Oaks and adjacent unincorporated areas of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

The tour is restricted to residents who are at least 12 years old, Reinhardt said. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Participants should be in reasonably good health since the tour will require moderate walking and climbing stairs.

Preregistration is required. Residents will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis.

To make a reservation for the tour, visit www.LVMWD.com or call (818) 251-2100.