LADWP Stormwater Capture

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LADWP Stormwater Capture Master Plan August 2015

Summary
Mayoral Directive Number 5 calls for a 20% reduction in the Citys fresh water use by 2017 and a 50%
reduction in the purchase of imported potable water by 2024. LADWP is trying to do this by stormwater
capture, water conservation, recycled water and groundwater remediation.
Today, on average, more than 27,000 acre-feet (more than 8.8 billion gallons) of stormwater is captured
each year at centralized spreading grounds where it recharges groundwater. Stormwater runoff that cannot
be contained at these facilities is discharged to the Pacific Ocean via the citys rivers and tributaries.
Another 35,000 acre-feet per year is infiltrating into the potable aquifers through incidental recharge. This
water source represents approximately 10% of the Citys annual water demand. Through the work on
LADWPs Stormwater Capture Master Plan (SCMP), it has been demonstrated that an additional 68,000
to 114,000 acre-feet per year could be realistically captured through a suite of projects, programs, and
policies over the next 20 years.
Large scale stormwater capture projects like new and enhanced centralized spreading grounds and smaller
ones like rain gardens, rain barrels and permeable pavers can help capture more storm water for
groundwater recharge or direct use. The principle involves capturing rainfall and run off from open space
and urban lands for either direct use or allowing the water to percolate into groundwater basins for future
use.
Simulation modeling performed for the SCMP showed that 63,000 acre-feet per year of distributed
infiltration is currently occurring incidentally via pervious surfaces throughout the City. However, only
35,000 acre-feet per year of this infiltrated water is being recharged into water supply aquifers. The
remaining 28,000 acre-feet per year is infiltrating into soils above confined aquifers. Water currently
being infiltrated incidentally above confined aquifers does not constitute an existing supply, though it
could potentially contribute to LADWPs water supply portfolio if LADWP established pumping,
treatment, and distribution in the future.

Incoming Stormwater Flow to the City

Current Capture in Existing Spreading Grounds
(Acre-Feet)
Current Distributed1 Infiltration
Infiltration (Incidental Aquifer Recharge)
Infiltration Above Confined Aquifers
(Potentially Could Be Used)
Possible Capture in Next 20 Years
Potential Capture by 2099 (Conservative
scenario)
Potential Capture by 2099 (Aggressive
scenario)

Average Acre-Feet
per Year
831,000
27,000
63,000
35,000
28,000
68,000 to 114,000
179,000
238,000

1 Small projects distributed throughout the city (less than 100 acre-feet per year)

In developing the SCMP, two scenarios Conservative and Aggressivewere considered to create an
envelope of the range of potential future outcomes. These two scenarios reflect broader conditions
outside the direct control of LADWP that could impede or accelerate stormwater capture. Regardless,
swift, significant, and sustained action on the part of LADWP and its partners is a significant part of
realizing either scenario.
Distributed Program Alternatives
Project Type
Program Examples
2
On-site Infiltration
Residential Rain Garden
Green Streets
Commercial Green Street Program
3
Subregional Infiltration
Neighborhood Recharge Facility Program
On-site Direct Use4
Residential or Commercial Cistern Program
Subregional Direct Use
Park Subsurface Storage and Irrigation Program
Impervious Replacement Impervious Surface Replacement Program
Four general approaches proposed for implementation of projects and programs described in this
document are summarized below:
LADWP-Led Implementation
Coordination with Other Agencies and Coordination with EWMPs
Property Owner Implementation
Regulated Implementation

Projects suitable for this approach inclu

highly cost-effective subregional and g
Many would be implemented by other
wherever they provide cost-effective w
Create incentives to empower property
ratepayer funds,
Many projects will be implemented thr

2 On-Site: Refers to runoff generated from a single property.

3 Subregional: refers to runoff from multiple properties (approx. 50 acre tributary
area)
4 Direct use: Used in place of water supplied by LADWP.