Mitzi Minamide

We are honored to feature Mitzi Minamide, an Environmental Engineering Associate II at LA Sanitation and Environment (LASAN), as we continue our series on the leaders behind the Pure Water Los Angeles (PWLA) program. With 13 years at LASAN and a unique background spanning over 20 years in both the aerospace and wastewater industries, Mitzi holds the distinction of being the only team member who has seen the Hyperion Advanced Water Purification Facility (HAWPF) project through from its earliest conception to its current operations.

Under Mitzi’s leadership, the HAWPF serves as a vital “proof of concept" for the future of the Pure Water Los Angeles program. Currently, the facility has a capacity of 1.5 million gallons per day (mgd), producing purified recycled water for industrial use at LAX and within the Hyperion plant itself, offsetting current potable water needs. The facility utilizes a rigorous three-step treatment process: Membrane Bioreactors (MBR), Reverse Osmosis (RO), and Ultraviolet Treatment with Advanced Oxidation (UV/AOP). This process is so effective that the water reaches a molecular level of purity, requiring a final step where minerals are added back in to prevent the water from corroding distribution pipes. For Mitzi, the Pure Water LA project is about shifting our perspective: "Our local water is not getting more plentiful. It's not a waste anymore. So we can't throw away a resource. We need to recycle it and use it in the Pure Water LA program." 

Beyond the technical hurdles, she is a passionate mentor who believes in the power of face-to-face communication and building strong, proactive teams. Having started her education as often the only woman in her engineering classes, Mitzi now proudly leads in a division that is more than 50% women. Whether she is presenting to the Girl Scouts or providing guidance to junior engineers, Mitzi is dedicated to ensuring that Los Angeles moves toward a resilient future where clean water is recognized as a fundamental human need.

Janice Murray

With an impressive 18-year legacy at LASAN, we are proud to spotlight Janice Murray, the Community Affairs Advocate at LA Sanitation (LASAN) and leader of the Community Services Group (CSG). Currently, Janice is spearheading the vital community outreach for Pure Water Los Angeles, a collaborative effort between LASAN and LADWP that aims to increase the City’s local supply of drinking water. 

For Janice, this project is about more than infrastructure; it is about community engagement and trust. She believes that for Pure Water LA to be successful, every resident must be an active part of the process. Her team works at the grassroots level, maintaining "boots on the ground" to ensure transparency and to demystify the science of water recycling. Through new infrastructure projects and improvements to existing facilities, Pure Water LA will increase the resiliency of the City’s water supply, protect the local environment, and invest in the future of Los Angeles. Janice’s passion is about ensuring residents understand that high-quality, safe, recycled water will be delivered across the City with the same high standards to every home, regardless of zip code or socio-economic background.

"Clean water is a right, not a privilege," Janice asserts. By fostering a sense of ownership and investment among rate-payers, she is helping Angelenos embrace a future where they no longer need to rely on bottled water to feel safe. 

Janice's commitment to equity helps her ensure that every Angeleno understands the full breadth of services available to them. The power of accessibility by providing easy-to-understand language is paramount when engaging with our ratepayers. Janice believes that clear, honest communication is key, whether she’s helping a constituent navigate rate structures and affordability or explaining how to schedule a bulky-item pickup or bin replacement. Her leadership ensures that every neighborhood receives the maximum value from LASAN, further strengthening the bond of trust between our role and the communities we serve.

A dedicated mentor inspired by the strong women who paved her own path, Janice’s leadership ensures that as we innovate our water systems, we leave no community behind

Christina Becerra

We are thrilled to spotlight Christina Becerra Jones, PE, MS, a seasoned Environmental Engineer who has dedicated over 12 years of service to LA Sanitation and Environment (LASAN), and was named its Women’s History Month Honoree this past March. Christina currently leads the Program Management Section of Pure Water Los Angeles at Hyperion and also serves as the Project Manager for the Hyperion Advanced Water Purification Facility. In these roles, she is spearheading one of the City’s most critical sustainability efforts: maximizing wastewater reuse at Hyperion to create a resilient, locally-sourced water supply for all of Los Angeles.

Christina’s technical leadership is as deep as it is diverse. From managing biosolids and renewable energy projects at Terminal Island to serving as an advocacy liaison with elected officials, her work ensures that Los Angeles is setting environmental standards. Christina’s background as a Professional Engineer along with her dual degrees in Civil Engineering specializing in Building Science and Construction Management from USC has equipped her to navigate the complex "progressive design-build" models required for a project of this scale. As a lifelong resident, she views the residents as her neighbors and is committed to ensuring the City is resilient enough to survive and thrive through future droughts and seismic challenges.

Beyond the engineering, Christina is passionate about the human infrastructure of LASAN: mentorship. She credits much of her success to the guidance of her own mentor, Diane Gilbert Jones, who broke barriers as the first African American female engineer at Hyperion. Christina recalls how Diane provided the "guardrails" for professional success, teaching her the essential workplace navigation skills that go far beyond textbooks. Today, Christina is paying that legacy forward. She is dedicated to "paying it forward" by building a diverse, expert team and volunteering with the MESA (Math Engineering Science Achievement) program at USC. By mentoring middle and high school students, Christina is helping to inspire and prepare the next generation of engineers who will one day lead our City. 

Her commitment to excellence and equity ensures that as Pure Water LA moves forward, it carries with it a legacy of empowered leaders and a more resilient Los Angeles.