1. Leading the way to clean, green and
sustainable City through integration,
innovation and collaboration
October 5, 2011

2. Los Angeles City Departments
Sanitation, Engineering, Water & Power
Planning, Recreation and Parks, etc
Partner Agencies
US Army Corps of Engineers, State Transportation
Department, Los Angeles County, Neighboring Cities
State Water Resources and Regional Boards
Partner Community Groups
Heal the Bay, TreePeople, Council for Watershed
Health
Neighborhood Councils, Community Associations, etc
2

3. CITY OF LOS ANGELES
Population served – 4 million
600 sq. mi. service area
29 contract agencies served
BUREAU OF SANITATION
Our Mission:
“Protect Public Health and the Environment”

4. Clean Water Program (Wastewater Program)
4 Wastewater Treatment Plants
550 mgd capacity
6,700 miles of sewer
47 wastewater pumping plant
Invested over $6.3 billion
over the last 25 years

5. Watershed Protection Program Los Angeles River
Drainage Area
(Stormwater Program)
1,200 miles of pipes Ballona Creek and
100 miles of open channels Other Urban
Drainage
Areas
38,000 catch basins
Dominguez
Part of 4 watersheds Channel
LA Harbor
$0.5 billion program (Prop “O”) Drainage
Area
since 2004

6. City of Los Angeles Sources of Water
85% of water is imported

7. “Our future depends on our willingness to
adopt an ethic of sustainability. If we
don’t commit ourselves to conserving and
recycling water, we will tap ourselves
out.” ‐
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa

8. Climate Change
Pollution
Growth
Aging infrastructure
Limited water supplies
Regulations
Lack of funding

9. …manage our water effectively, sustainably & responsibly
Wastewater in LA –
300 MG a day goes to the ocean
Storm water in LA –
100 MG on dry day;
> 3 BG on rainy day
Groundwater –
BGs in water (contaminated)

10. “All the Water that will ever be is, right now.”
National Geographic 1993
ONE
WATER

13. A stakeholder driven process over 7‐year period
More than 200 meetings
to engage the public
Stakeholders represented
over 1.5 million residents
Facilities plan that consists of
infrastructure and programs to be
built and in‐place in time to meet
the needs of the City’s wastewater,
stormwater and recycled water
systems towards 2020
Integrating planning and
implementation to achieve
multiple benefits and leverage resources.

14. Facilities Financial
Plan Plan
Public Environmental
Outreach Documentation

15. Financial
Planning
Identify
Identify Perform
Perform Evaluate
Evaluate Prepare
Prepare
Funding
Funding Affordabilit
Affordabilit Rate
Rate Financial
Financial
Options
Options y Analysis
y Analysis Impacts
Impacts Plan
Plan
Develop
Develop Develop
Develop
and
and Prepare CIP
Prepare CIP
Identify Preliminary Refine
Facilities
Planning
Confirm Identify Preliminary Refine Screen to and
Confirm Shortfalls Alternatives Alternatives Screen to and
Data: Shortfalls Alternatives Alternatives Final Implementa
Data: and Options and with City Final Implementa
General and and Options and with City Alternatives tion
General and to Meet do Initial Models Alternatives tion
Element to Meet do Initial Models Plan
Element Screenings Plan
Specific Screenings
Specific
Environmental
Planning
Perform
Perform Develop
Develop
Baseline
Baseline Alternative
Alternative Environ‐
Environ‐ Certify
Certify
Draft
Draft
Data
Data Descriptions
Descriptions mental
mental EIR
EIR
EIR/EIS
EIR/EIS
Analysis
Analysis
and Education
Outreach
Public

16. Reach out to an even broader cross‐section
of L.A. communities / interests
Expand the knowledge
base by cultivating a
more informed
community
Build trust through
open and honest
communication

17. City Departments
Sanitation, Engineering, Water & Power
Others: Planning, Recreation and Parks, etc
Partner Organizations
County, US Army Corps of Engineers, State
Transportation Department, Neighboring Cities
Permittees
1

18. Protect Health and Safety of Public
Effectively Manage System Capacity
Protect the Environment
IRP Enhance Cost Efficiency
Protect Quality of Life
Promote Education

22. Multi Purpose Cost-Benefit Tool
22

23. Julie Inouye
Vista Del Mar Neighborhood Association
“Thank you for being leaders in this ‘New Direction’
for the City of L.A. Now, let’s make
our ideas become reality!”
Cindy O’Connor
League of Women Voters,
Los Angeles
“Exactly the way public business
should be done.”

24. Domingo F. Leon
Society of Hispanic
Engineers
“It was a great honor for me
to represent the Hispanic
constituents in the IRP to
assess the future of the L.A.”
Mark Gold
Heal the Bay (NGO)
“Heal the Bay is eager to
help the City implement this
progressive vision.”

26. Water Reclamation: Use Expand &
up to 56,000 acre‐feet upgrade**
Tillman to
per year (~18,000 mg/y) 100 mgd
City of
Los Angeles
Runoff Reduction,
Treatment and Beneficial
Use (Prop O & LID)
Water Conservation –
Increase efforts
*Percent of runoff from ½ inch storm Citywide
**Dependent on permit requirements

27. Additional conservation of 64,000 AF by 2035
(in addition to 100,000 AF achieved)
155 smart controllers have been
installed at 67 City Parks, saving
approx. 12% in water usage
Waterfree urinals installed at:
Dodger Stadium , Staples Center
All LA City Colleges and many universities
City facilities (City Hall, Pershing Square,
and LADWP Headquarters)
Rebates increased for weather‐based
irrigation controllers, high efficiency
toilets & urinals, and cooling tower
pH controllers
Rebates for drip Irrigation and
drought tolerant landscaping (Save 4,400 AF in 10 years)

29. 59,000 AFY by 2035
Groundwater replenishment
with advanced treated wastewater
Requires upgrading Tillman Plant
Supply of at least 15,000 AFY by 2019
Expand recycled water distribution for irrigation
and industrial use through “purple pipe” networks

30. Restoration of
up to 110,000 AFY
groundwater supplies
Planned groundwater
cleanup crucial
to fully utilize the
San Fernando Basin

31. 10,000 AFY capture and reuse, and 15,000 AFY
increased groundwater production by 2035
Green Streets
Onsite capture, infiltration & use
Low Impact Development (LID) Ordinance

33. The Water IRP was one of the first steps taken
towards a more sustainable City.
Other programs followed…
The City’s Water Supply Action Plan
The Recycled Water Master Plan
The City’s Green Building Program
The City’s Green Street Program
THE DRY GARDEN: HARVESTING RAIN
November 11, 2009 | By Emily Green
“It stands to reason that some of the most progressive
environmentalists in Los Angeles work for the Department
of Public Works’ Bureau of Sanitation. They are the front
line between what we discard and the environment.”

34. Incorporating LID Strategies and Techniques into stormwater management
Developed an LID ordinance for development and redevelopments to capture,
infiltrate and use the first ¾ of rain on site
Treats Polluted Urban
Treats Polluted Urban Increases Water Supply:
Increases Water Supply: Energy Use & Climate
Energy Use & Climate
Runoff:
Runoff: Change:
Change:
LID projects in L.A. County
LID projects in L.A. County
Nearly 40% of the county’s
Nearly 40% of the county’s could save 41,000—83,000
could save 41,000—83,000 Greater reliance on local water
Greater reliance on local water
needs for cleaning polluted
needs for cleaning polluted AF/year of imported water supply instead of pumping from
AF/year of imported water supply instead of pumping from
runoff could be met by LID
runoff could be met by LID (groundwater recharge).
(groundwater recharge). distant locations would save
distant locations would save
projects on existing public
projects on existing public
lands. NRDC, August 2008
NRDC, August 2008 72,000—233,500 MWH of
72,000—233,500 MWH of
lands.
Community Conservancy Intl, Mar ‘08
Community Conservancy Intl, Mar ‘08
energy per year.
energy per year.
NRDC, August 2008
NRDC, August 2008

35. Green Street Standards
S‐480‐0: General requirements
for Green Streets
S‐481‐0: Parkway swale
in major/secondary highways
S‐482‐0: Parkway swale Riverdale Ave –
in local/collector streets Vegetated Stormwater Curb Extension (VSCE)
S‐483‐0: Parkway swale
with no street parking
S‐484‐0: Vegetated Stormwater
Curb Extension (VSCE)
S‐485‐0: Interlocking pavers
for vehicular alleys
Hope St – Parkway Swale
S‐486‐0: Interlocking pavers
for pedestrian alleys

36. Green Streets Standards

38. The City of LA contributes to City of
four major watersheds Los Angeles
Los Angeles River
Santa Monica Bay
Ballona Creek
Dominguez Channel
Conveys . . .
Over 100 MG/day of Dry‐Weather Flow
(72MGD from treatment plants)
Average Annually 172,000 acre‐feet/yr
(based on 15‐in of rainfall within the City)
* Enough to serve 880 homes for 1 year

39. 18 TMDLs are currently adopted by RWQCB‐LA (affecting City)
By 2012 all Consent Decree (EPA vs NRDC et al) TMDLs must be adopted
Adopted TMDLs Machado Lake Nutrient
Los Angeles River Trash LA River Bacteria
Ballona Creek Trash Dominguez Channel / LA Harbor
Metals and Toxics
Santa Monica Bay Beaches Bacteria
(Dry Weather) Santa Monica Bay Nearshore
& Offshore Debris
Santa Monica Bay Beaches Bacteria
(Wet Weather) Machado Lake Toxics
LA River Nitrogen
Marina Del Rey Bacteria TMDLs in Development
LA Harbor Bacteria Echo Park Lake Toxics
Ballona Creek Metals Lincoln Park Lake Trash, nutrients
LA River Metals Santa Monica Bay Toxics
Ballona Creek Toxics
Marina Del Rey Toxics
Ballona Creek Bacteria
Machado Lake Trash

40. Goal: Scientific, reasonable, and attainable TMDLs
Cleaner Rivers through Effective Stakeholder TMDLs (CREST)
Conduct studies to provide information
for scientifically based TMDLs in
development stage, and for re‐openers
(e.g. Bacteria Source ID, TIE, WER)
Regulations
Jurisdictional Group Efforts
Conduct studies for adopted TMDLs Non‐
Regulated
such as algae effects, sediment Governmental
Community
toxicity, non‐point source Organizations
Develop and execute implementation
and compliance monitoring plans
Cost share development and execution
of implementation and compliance
monitoring plans

42. California sets high barriers to new funding
IRP creates public awareness and support
Law suit creates opportunity
Campaign infrastructure provides
The message makes the case
The messenger creates credibility
The campaign continues after the
vote

43. City of Los Angeles $500 million
Clean Water Bond (2004)
27 water quality, water
conservation, habitat protection,
and open space projects
South LA Wetlands Park
)
’ s
es /B
Imperial Highway ch to A
a
Before Median Greening Be D ‘s
at /
lity F
ua from
Q n
a ter oved ec
tio
d W e m r ot ce
o ve hav a t p spa
pr des bit pen
Im ra a
G d h ed o
h e
as r e as
eac re c
(B Inc In
Low Flow Diversions

44. Regional Projects
Machado Lake Ecosystem Echo Park Lake
Rehabilitation Project Rehabilitation
Los Angeles Zoo Parking Lot ‐
Vegetated bio‐swale &
Permeable pavers
Green Alley /
Sun Valley Park Project ‐ Green Streets
Infiltration galleries Program

46. 9‐acre Metropolitan
Transportation Authority (MTA)
property transformed into
wetland and riparian habitat
525‐acre watershed area
diverted and treated in a 4‐acre
stormwater treatment wetland Before
Multi‐beneficial use
Educational opportunities
Wildlife viewing
Historical railway elements
Community multi‐use center
Historical building reutilization
South LA Wetlands Park

51. Universally Accessible Playground Existing Box Storm Drain
Dry Creek: Sand Filtration
Decomposed Granite Pathways
Turf: Sub‐Surface Irrigation
Underdrain, Trash Screen, Pumps

54. Delivers water directly
to root zones
No contact between
contaminated water
and park patrons
Potable water savings
Water demand as little
as 20% of landscaping
using traditional
irrigation systems

58. Cost: $3.3 million
Duration: 10 months
California Proposition 50 Grant from the Santa
Monica Bay Restoration Commission
(Protecting Coastal Water Quality): $2 million

60. Chronic flooding Adopted watershed plan
Lack of Political and
storm drain system agency support
Appropriate soils f Community Need
or infiltration

61. To demonstrate
and test our ability to:
Reduce flooding and runoff
Improve water quality
Recharge local groundwater
Increase water conservation by
reducing irrigation
Promote community awareness
Increase community pride

62. Installation of: Before After
Rain barrels
Rain garden
bioswales
Porous pavements
Infiltration galleries
under the street
Fully infiltrates
40‐acre drainage
area of a 2‐yr
storm event
16 ac‐ft
groundwater
recharge annually

64. Additional Information: www.lacity.org
www.lastormwater.org
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/lastormwaterprogram