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Clean water is essential to our health and well-being and how we manage stormwater and prevent pollution is critical to replenishing sources of our water supply. If we want to maintain high water quality and maximize our water supply in LA County, we have to keep dirty - even toxic - stormwater out of our streams, rivers, lakes and ocean.
California has strict laws in place thanks to the Federal Clean Water Act that help to govern water quality, and local agencies work hard to meet these standards. But at the end of the day, we all have a part to play to ensure the health and safety of LA County’s water for wildlife, ecosystems, beaches, and future generations.
Stormwater itself, which is the water that drains off a land area after rainfall, has tremendous potential to bolster our local water supply. Unfortunately, when it rains in LA County, stormwater picks up all kinds of pollutants - bacteria, metals, chemicals, trash, anything we leave on the streets - as it washes over surfaces like roofs, lawns, and parking lots. The dirty stormwater then flows along streets, through storm drains and eventually into our waterways, frequently closing public beaches for several days after it rains to protect the public from polluted water.
Stormwater pollution is a modern problem. Before LA County became the concrete jungle that it is today, it had an abundance of undeveloped land, which meant lots of places for stormwater to soak into the ground. And when it comes to water, soil acts as a natural filter for water as it soaks into the ground. This naturally filtered water then drips through the dirt to fill up underground aquifers, making for a win-win situation: plentiful, clean water.
But as the county urbanized over the past century, more development, pavement, and concrete has left less undeveloped soil to filter the water, delivering it into underground aquifers. This led to our current stormwater problem. If rainwater cannot be absorbed into the ground, it becomes polluted running off urban surfaces and then overburdens our local waterways - like the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers - with dirty water.
An extensive network of pipes and channels throughout LA County help to solve our current stormwater challenges by reducing the risk of flood when it rains, capturing stormwater, and cleaning it before it enters our waterways.
Operated by the LA County of Public Works since 1985, the Los Angeles Flood Control District (District) manages over 2,800 miles of underground storm drains, 14 major dams, and 500 miles of open channel. Within the county, many cities help manage local storm drain systems, capture and clean water in spreading grounds, and spearhead other water quality projects. Additionally, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates five dams in LA County. Together, these efforts not only enhance the beauty and cleanliness of our rivers, streams, and oceans, but also protect our health and safety.
Local agencies, at both the city and county levels, work together to manage the water quality within LA County's six major watersheds. This collaborative approach improves the quality of local waterways, like the San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers, and ensures that stormwater can be captured, cleaned, and used as part of our local water supply.
A number of projects and programs are working to make this collective vision for water quality a reality. You may have seen some of these already: street sweeping keeps storm drains clear, while roadway corridors with permeable surfaces (like parks and open space!) allow water to pass through. Other projects in the works include green streets programs, wetland parks, and underground water retention facilities.
Another part of the solution is you. Keeping our beaches and waterways clean is everyone’s responsibility. Here’s how you can help:
Whether it’s a cigarette butt, plastic bag, or your dog’s waste, neither the street - nor the gutters - are the place for them.
If you must use pesticides, fertilizers, or other chemicals in your yard, choose non-hazardous options and use just enough. Don’t apply them right before it rains, and be sure not to over water after application - not only will you lose most of the effect as they are washed away, you’ll also harm the environment.
When you’re working on your car in the street or driveway, don’t let motor oil or sudsy water run into the streets and down storm drains.
Washing your paint brushes with outdoor faucets, or dumping unused paint, engine oil, or other toxic liquids down the gutter will send it all into our rivers, streams, and oceans.
Just because it’s organic material doesn’t mean you should leave it out. Compost, reuse, or recycle your grass, leaves, tree branches, and other green waste, so it doesn’t clog storm drains and flood your neighborhood. Looking for tips on how to manage green waste? Check out this guide.
Storm drains won’t catch stormwater if they’re clogged with everything else. Keep storm drains clear and give the authorities a call to take care of any clogged drains you notice. Your unflooded street, and water supply, will thank you later.
Keep your pool water -- and pool chemicals, like bleach -- inside the pool. If they splash out, they’ll just add to the toxic mix of stormwater pollution.
Whether it’s a water bottle or a food container, disposable plastic often finds its way into our storm drains and eventually our waterways. Opt for reusable materials that will reduce waste, protect our water and save you money.