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LA Has 6,500 Miles of Sewers, But are they Efficient?
Photo: manmadepants
As one side of the city deals with importing water, even as they face a possible water rationing situation, another deals with exporting the water. The City’s Bureau of Sanitation is in charge of wastewater, which is the focus of City Controller Laura Chick's most recent audit (.pdf) on performance and efficiency. As usual... "There are issues, however, uncovered in my audit regarding a lack of 21st Century business practices and efficiencies, which require attention." Among the problems she lists are broken equipment, outdated software and the lack of evaluation. Los Angeles has the largest sewer system in the nation with 6,500 miles of sewers carrying 450 million gallons of waste every day. A 2004 lawsuit settlement after torrential rains caused significant sewage overflowing gave the city 10 years to implement a program to reduce the flooding in future rainstorms.
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
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