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News

LA Has 6,500 Miles of Sewers, But are they Efficient?

By  Zach Behrens
Published Jan 14, 2009 11:00 PM
lasewage.jpg
Photo: manmadepants
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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 Among the problems she lists are broken equipment, outdated software and the lack of evaluation.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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