With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
LA County Sets Goal To Greatly Increase Stormwater Capture By 2045
The engineered Dominguez Gap Wetlands in Long Beach filters stormwater and runoff from the Los Angeles River. Then the water is siphoned under the river to a spreading ground to the west.
(
Sharon McNary
/
LAist
)
On Dec. 5, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to adopt and implement a new long term water management plan, meant to expand local supplies, increase resilience and lessen reliability on imported water. Something that’s become increasingly critical, as the climate continues to change, and water resources are stressed.
The L.A County Water Plan is an extension of the county's sustainability plan, and yesterday was a big step toward laying out goals and a path forward for various stakeholders.
Some of the highlights include: cleaning up groundwater, improving drinking water quality, expanding the use of recycled water and utilizing better messaging around water conservation.
There’s also a strong emphasis on expanding stormwater capture and water storage, in an effort to increase the local supply by nearly 600,000 acre-feet per year within the county by 2045.
Support for LAist comes from
“In our dry region we need to conserve every drop of water possible for beneficial reuse,” said Supervisor Lindsey Horvath during the meeting. “As climate change makes our imported water resources less reliable and more expensive, I would like to see the majority of our stormwater be diverted for beneficial reuse.”
We should hear back in the next six months about how that might be accomplished, but it’s likely to come through the utilization of spreading grounds, the expansion of permeable parking lots and roads, as well as features in yards like swales and rain gardens.
“What we need to do is basically turn the entire county of L.A. into a sponge and capture stormwater where it falls. That includes everything from the big spreading grounds to parcel level projects that allow water to just infiltrate into the ground,” said Annelisa Moe, associate director of science and policy at Heal The Bay, which supports the plan.
Moe said that Heal The Bay would also like to see 12,000 acres of hardscape turned into reusable green spaces, and have wetlands reestablished, as they can help capture stormwater and sequester carbon.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol. -
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails. -
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight. -
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent.
Best of LAist