DWP To Unveil Plan To Capture Storm Runoff In Drought-Fighting Effort

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com/AP) — The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power plans to capture storm water runoff and use it to refill underground supplies rather than allow it to drain into the ocean via storm channels.

DWP officials on Thursday will a present a plan to collect rainfall in basins or washes and then slowly feed it into the city's primary underground water source — a process known as aquifer recharge, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The initiative includes three large-scale projects in the San Fernando Valley as well as smaller ones on public, private and commercial properties thoughout the city.

The DWP says under the proposal the city could collect more than 200,000 acre-feet of rainwater each year by 2035. One acre-foot of water is equal to 326,000 gallons.

The proposal also lists a variety of smaller features - including water-permeable surfaces that would help recharge the San Fernando Valley groundwater basin, as well as redesigned "green streets" and pocket parks" - that would be located on public, private and commercial properties throughout the city.

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