Helena Joyce
Los Angeles is taking several steps to reduce water pollution and improve water quality. The city offers various programs and incentives to promote water conservation and sustainable practices. For instance, the LA Department of Water and Power (LADWP) offers rebates and free water-saving devices, as well as a popular turf replacement program that encourages residents to create sustainable landscapes with native plant species. The city is also developing the One Water LA 2040 Plan, which aims to provide long-term, sustainable water supply solutions and increase resilience to drought and climate change. In addition, the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board has implemented new rules to address runoff pollution and drinking water issues, with a focus on capturing and filtering rainwater to prevent stormwater pollution and enhance groundwater supplies. These efforts are crucial as human activities, such as improper waste disposal and pesticide use, contribute to water pollution and climate change, threatening both human populations and natural ecosystems.
What You'll Learn
The Los Angeles Water Board's Framework for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation
The Los Angeles Water Board's "Framework for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation" is a strategy to address the impacts of climate change on water supply and quality in the region. It aims to develop strategies to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change on water resources, ensuring their sustainability for future generations.
Human activities have led to significant greenhouse gas emissions, causing substantial changes to the climate and, subsequently, water resources. The Los Angeles region is predicted to experience more severe drought periods, decreased snowpack levels, and changes in temperatures and precipitation, which will deplete groundwater levels and reduce water supply. These changes will also impact the hydrological and ecosystem processes in the region, with potential decreases in stream flow, alterations to aquatic habitats, and increases in surface water temperature, pollution levels, sedimentation, and algal growth.
The Framework aims to address these challenges by assessing the impacts of climate change and developing strategies to adapt and mitigate its effects. On August 8, 2017, the Regional Water Board hosted a stakeholder workshop to discuss potential actions to address climate change and its effects on dischargers and stakeholders. The workshop included presentations by experts, outlining the expected effects of climate change on water quality and the approaches being taken to develop a comprehensive response. The stakeholders then discussed these issues under four topics: habitat/ecology, stormwater, groundwater, and infrastructure.
The Los Angeles Water Board's Framework is a crucial initiative to safeguard the region's water resources and ensure their sustainable use for future generations. It aims to address the challenges posed by climate change and develop strategies to adapt to and mitigate its impacts on water supply and quality.
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Rebates on water-saving devices
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) offers a range of rebates and programs to help customers use water more efficiently and save money. The SoCal WaterSmart Rebate Program, in conjunction with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, offers rebates for residential and multi-family customers (1-4 units) to encourage the use of water conservation products.
Irrigation and Landscaping Rebates
The Weather-Based Irrigation Controller Rebate offers up to $200 per controller for less than one acre of irrigated landscape, and $35 per station for one acre or more. The Soil Moisture Sensor System Rebate provides up to $200 per unit and $35 per station, but must include a sensor, calibrator, and controller. The Rotating Nozzles Rebate offers up to $6 per nozzle, with a limit of one rebate per household and a minimum of 15 nozzles. The Smart Hose Bib Irrigation Controller Rebate offers an upgrade to an advanced water management system for up to $35, with a limit of one per household.
Rain Barrel and Turf Replacement Rebates
The Rain Barrel Rebate offers up to $50, with a limit of two per household, and cannot be combined with a Cistern rebate. The Turf Replacement Rebate is available at $5 per sq. ft. for LADWP customers who replace their existing turf with California Friendly® plants, mulch, and/or rain capture. Customers participating in the Turf Replacement Rebate may also be eligible for tree rebates through the SoCal Water $mart rebate program.
Water Flow/Leak Detection and Clothes Washer Rebates
The Water Flow/Leak Detection rebate provides up to $150 for qualifying devices that monitor water use and detect leaks on customer property. The High-Efficiency Clothes Washer Rebate offers up to $500, with a limit of one per installation address, and the washer must meet or exceed the CEE Tier 1 standard.
The Los Angeles County Waterworks Districts also offer rebates for water-saving devices, including high-efficiency clothes washers, rotary sprinkler nozzles, and weather-based irrigation controllers in select districts.
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Turf replacement program
The Turf Replacement Program is one of the most popular water conservation programs in Los Angeles. It is a collaborative initiative between the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD). The program offers rebates to residential and commercial customers who replace their existing lawns with sustainable, low-water-use landscapes.
The program provides an incentive of $5 per square foot, with a maximum rebate of $25,000 for residential customers and $3 per square foot for larger commercial projects beyond 50,000 square feet. The converted landscape can include California Friendly® plants, native species, mulch, and rain capture features like rain gardens or cisterns.
To participate in the program, customers must first receive application pre-approval before starting their replacement project. LADWP offers resources such as free landscape classes, design templates, and plant lists to help customers plan their sustainable landscapes. The program also provides a Turf Replacement Design Service, offering custom landscape designs to customers.
The Turf Replacement Program takes a comprehensive approach to water conservation by combining turf removal, irrigation modification, and rainwater retention or filtration. It is designed to maximize water utilization and reduce wasteful runoff, with the potential to save approximately 44 gallons of water per square foot of turf replaced annually.
In addition to the turf replacement incentive, the program also offers a tree rebate, providing $100 per tree installed, with a maximum incentive of up to 5 trees per turf replacement application. The installation of each new eligible tree counts as three plants towards the total plant count requirement for the project.
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Sewer repair financial assistance
Los Angeles County has implemented various measures to tackle the issue of water pollution, which poses significant risks to public health, the environment, and the local economy. One crucial aspect of these efforts is the management of sewer systems and the provision of sewer repair financial assistance.
The City of Los Angeles, LA Sanitation and the Environment (LASAN), offers financial support to property owners for sewer lateral repairs through its Sewer Lateral Repair Assistance Program. Sewer lateral lines connect individual properties to the main sewer line, which is maintained by the city. According to the Los Angeles County Code, it is the responsibility of the property owner to maintain and repair their sewer lateral up to the point of connection with the public sewer main.
LASAN's Sewer Lateral Financial Assistance Program provides two types of rebates to eligible property owners: the CCTV rebate and the Repair rebate. The CCTV rebate offers up to $300 to eligible applicants, while the Repair rebate provides up to $1,000, or a combination of both rebates for a total of $1,300. These rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are open to owners of residential, multifamily, commercial, and industrial properties who are in good standing with their sewer service charge fees paid to the City of Los Angeles.
To apply for the Sewer Lateral Repair Assistance Program, property owners can visit the LASAN website at www.lacitysan.org/slrebates. The website provides specific information and requirements for each rebate type. Applicants must meet certain criteria and provide supporting documentation. It is important to note that the rebates are limited by the annual funds allocated, so interested property owners should apply as early as possible in the fiscal year.
In addition to the financial assistance program, the City of Los Angeles is committed to promoting sustainable practices and water conservation. The LA Department of Water and Power (LADWP) offers various rebates and programs to encourage efficient water usage, including the Turf Replacement Program, which incentivizes the creation of sustainable landscapes with California-friendly plants. LADWP also provides free water conservation equipment, such as showerheads and aerators, to residents within its service area.
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LA Sanitation Special Projects
LA Sanitation (LASAN) is at the forefront of innovation and technology in the City of Los Angeles, with a focus on protecting public health and the environment. LASAN is committed to making Los Angeles a more sustainable and liveable city by identifying, developing, and utilising cutting-edge technologies.
LASAN manages three major program areas: Clean Water (Wastewater), Solid Resources (Solid Waste Management), and Watershed Protection (Stormwater). These programs collect, treat, recycle, and dispose of solid and liquid waste, delivering economic, environmental, and social benefits to sustain the quality of life in Los Angeles.
One of LASAN's notable initiatives is the Turf Replacement Program, which encourages residents to replace their lawns with sustainable landscapes featuring California Friendly® plants, including native species suited to the local climate. This program is part of LASAN's commitment to water conservation, with over $100 million invested in conservation measures over the last decade.
Additionally, LASAN offers sewer repair financial assistance to property owners, providing rebates for those with sewer laterals. This initiative ensures proper wastewater management and contributes to the overall sanitation of the city.
Furthermore, LASAN prioritises education and sustainability. Recognising the importance of community engagement, LASAN invests significant time and resources into educating residents, businesses, and youth about sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. This includes knowledge-sharing initiatives across the city to foster a cleaner and safer environment for future generations.
LASAN also embraces renewable energy projects, adopting state-of-the-art technology at its water reclamation plants. By staying at the forefront of innovation, LASAN strives to protect public health and enhance the environmental well-being of Los Angeles.
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Frequently asked questions
Stormwater runoff is the primary source of water pollution in Los Angeles. After rainfall, runoff drags heavy metals, pesticides, cigarette butts, animal waste, and other pollutants into streams and rivers, eventually reaching the Pacific Ocean.
Water pollution in Los Angeles has been linked to various health issues, including viral infections, earaches, sinus problems, fever, flu, skin rashes, and gastrointestinal illnesses.
The Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board has implemented new rules that encourage cities to collaborate on projects capturing and filtering rainwater. These projects aim to keep runoff pollution out of waterways and increase groundwater supplies for drinking water.
The LADWP offers various rebates and programs to promote water conservation and efficient usage. They also provide free water-saving devices, such as showerheads and aerators, to residents within their service area.
Los Angeles is working on an ambitious plan to make the runoff drinkable by capturing and filtering rainwater. This will not only reduce runoff pollution but also bolster groundwater supplies, ensuring a safe and sustainable source of drinking water for the region.
