Welcome to the Stormwater Program web site! The City of Los Angeles' award-winning Stormwater Program is committed to protecting the beneficial uses of our receiving waters through four key areas: Public Education and Outreach; Engineering; Enforcement and Inspection; and Science and Monitoring.

To read more about current events or activities, click on any item below.

Los Angeles River Metals TMDL

A draft implementation plan (with appendices) for the LA River Metals TMDL is available here.

This plan is subject to Mayor's Office and City Council approval. A final implementation plan will be submitted to the Regional Board by January 11, 2010.

Thank you for your feedback!

The proposed Low Impact Development ordinance is now being considered for approval. Updates on the status of the LID Ordinance addoption process will be posted as it moves through the City's approval process.

Low Impact Development Ordinance

PDF file download here

Flow Chart Downloads

Non Residential Flow Chart: download here

Four Units or Less Flow Chart: download here

Machado Lake Ecosystem Rehabilitation and Wilmington Drain Multi-Use Project

Good News!

A recommended design has been developed for the Machado Lake - Wilmington Drain Prop O Project.

Download the PDF newsletter here (412kb)

Low Impact Development (LID) Ordinance Workshops

The City of Los Angeles will be hosting a series of workshops in October to present information on the Low Impact Development (LID) Ordinance. You are invited to attend one of the following community workshops to learn more about this proposed ordinance.

Workshop dates and times are as follows:

Date: Thursday, October 1, 2009
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Location: City of Los Angeles, Media Technical Center, Training Room A
Address: 2714 Media Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90065

Date: Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Westchester Municipal Building, Community Room
Address: 7166 W. Manchester Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90045

Date: Thursday, October 8, 2009
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant, East Room
Address: 6100 Woodley Avenue, Van Nuys, CA 91406

Date: Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Augustus F. Hawkins Natural Park, Evan Frankel Discovery Center
Address: 5790 Compton Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90011

At these community workshops, the City will present the following information:

Background on low impact development, as it relates to storm water runoff
Presentation of the draft proposed LID ordinance
Regional benefits derived from the adoption of this proposed ordinance
Anticipated time line for adoption of the proposed LID ordinance

We encourage and welcome your participation, feedback and input at these workshops!

Please direct questions and your RSVP to lastormwater@lacity.org.

Sign Up to Receive Your Free Rain Barrel

The 25th Annual -- California Coastal Cleanup Day -- Saturday September 19th

On Saturday, September 19, at 9 AM, join other volunteers in cleaning up the Los Angeles River in honor of California Coastal Cleanup Day.

Meeting location:
L.A. River and Arryo Seco Confluence
Parking is available at Home Depot
497 N. San Fernando Rd
Los Angeles, CA 90031

For more information Call: Miguel A. Luna at 818-568-9139

Useful links

Heal the Bay: healthebayvolunteer
Los Angeles River: lariver.org
California Coastal Commission: coastal.ca.gov
Flyer link (PDF): click here

Third TMDL Workshop - Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Where: River Center, 570 W. Avenue 26, L.A., CA 90065
When: 1:00PM - 3:00PM (2-hour Workshop)

This Implementation Plan is being developed during 2009 to comply with urban runoff management requirements established in the Metals TMDL for the Los Angeles River watershed. The three points of discussion for this workshop will be: Priority institutional BMPs and priority regional and distributed green BMPs planned for implementation to meet the TMDL targets, quantitative analysis of water quality benefits associated with BMP implementation, and the TMDL Implementation Plan schedule.

Download the Workshop Presentation (PDF 7.8mb).

2009 Guide for Developers and Designers

• Guide PDF Download (9.7MB)

Cabrillo Beach Sand Replacement Project

The Second Phase of the Cabrillo Beach Sand Replacement Project is now under way! The replacment of the sand is part of an ongoing effort between the Port of LA and the Bureau of Sanitation (Watershed Protection Division) to improve water quality at Cabrillo Beach and will assist the City in meeting the Los Angeles Harbor (Cabrillo Beach) Bacteria TMDL [more]

TMDL Implementation Plan Stakeholder Workshop held on March 25th

The Watershed Protection Division hosted a Los Angeles River Metals TMDL Implementation Plan Stakeholder workshop on March 25th at the River Center. This was the first of 3 workshops designed to inform stakeholders and collect information from stakeholders concerning the metals implementation plan for the Los Angeles River watershed within the City of Los Angeles that is due to be submitted to the Regional Water Quality Control Board by the January 11, 2010 TMDL deadline. This workshop discussed the characteristics of the watershed and the implementation plan development process. The next workshop, scheduled for June 2009, will discuss potential green strategies to meet TMDL compliance milestones. A copy of the 1st workshop presentation can be viewed here.

Recalled Toys Do Not Belong in Trash

The City of Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation reminds residents that products such as toys that have been recalled for containing lead-based paint and other hazardous and/or toxic material SHOULD NOT be discarded in the regular trash. Discarding items containing lead-based paint and other hazardous material into the environment, through the regular trash, can bring the material full circle and right back into our homes.

We invite residents to properly dispose of their hazardous materials at our S.A.F.E. Centers located throughout the City [more]

L.A. Board of Public Works President Cynthia M. Ruiz, Council President Eric Garcetti (13), Councilman Ed P. Reyes (1), Councilmember Jan Perry (9), Heal the Bay Director Mark Gold, and Fran Diamond, Chair of the Regional Water Quality Control Board held a press conference at the southeast corner of South Broadway and 32nd Street in Los Angeles to celebrate the major advances toward keeping creeks, rivers and beaches cleaner through the use of Proposition O funds [more]

Download press release [NOTE: Paper size is 8" x 17"]

"A Day Without a Bag" — Thursday December 20th

On Dec. 20, 2007, holiday shoppers throughout Los Angeles County will be urged to forego the use of one-time use paper and plastic bags in favor of reusable totes. A coalition of environmental/community organizations, retail partners and government bodies will motivate consumers by handing out thousands of reusable bags and conducting on-site education at sites throughout county.

Join the City of Los Angeles, Heal the Bay, and an invited celebrity list for a positive day of education and action to encourage residents in taking immediate proactive steps to reduce waste and improve the local environment. You can find more information on Heal the Bay's web site, the City's Plastic Bag Recycling web site or by downloading a flyer

City of Los Angeles' "High Trash Generation" Areas

This interactive map of the city of Los Angeles shows areas where street trash — whether blown from curbside containers or carelessly discarded — is in heaviest concentration. This map does not include the Los Angeles County area outside of the City's boundaries.

The City's Stormwater Program has aggressively targeted these areas to stem the flow of trash that reaches our waterways by installing pollution control devices such as Low Flow Diversions, catch basin screen covers and inserts, netting systems, and other mitigation measures.

Please ensure that waste is properly disposed of and recycle everything you can! For items considered too toxic for your trash, the City of Los Angeles has several convenient locations for the safe disposal of paint, thinners, electronics, bulky items and other household hazardous materials.

New Director Takes the Helm at the City's Bureau of Sanitation

Enrique C. Zaldivar has been selected as the new Director of the City of Los Angeles' Bureau of Sanitation, replacing Rita Robinson, who Mayor Villaraigosa re-appointed to serve as a Chief of the Department of Transportation.

Mr. Zaldivar has extensive experience in the City's wastewater, solid resources and recycling programs and was serving as Assistant Director up until his selection to head the Bureau.

L.A. Stormwater Program's "Tackling Trash" Selected as Municipal Excellence Award Finalist

The City of Los Angeles has been selected as one of 35 finalists for the National League of Cities (NLC) 2007 Awards for Municipal Excellence. The City's Tackling Trash program has been selected "because of its innovative strategy to curbing litter by attacking the trash problem through a multi-pronged approach." [more] [City Press Release pdf]

Elysian Valley “Green Street” Dedication

One of several projects aimed at revitalizing the Los Angeles River, the Oros Green Street Project marks "...the first time a neighborhood sub-watershed will contribute no pollutants to the Los Angeles River” said Board of Public Works President Cynthia M. Ruiz (shown at left). City Council President Eric Garcetti and Councilmember Ed Reyes were also on hand to dedicate the project [more]

LA City Planning Dept to Hold Workshops on LA River Improvement Overlay District

Save the date for the upcoming public workshops sponsored by the City of Los Angeles, Department of City Planning to discuss the proposed LA River Improvement Overlay (RIO) District [more]

Water Quality Compliance Master Plan Workshop

On August 14 , 2007, the Bureau of Sanitation Watershed Protection Division will conduct a series of ongoing workshops on a comprehensive Water Quality Compliance Master Plan (WQCMP). This WQCMP will outline the City's strategy in achieving Clean Water Act standards [more]

Los Angeles River-related News

Two opportunities to hear a presentation from the City of Los Angeles' Bridge Program regarding the North Spring Street Bridge widening over the Los Angeles River will be held on May 15th and 17th
[click here for locations]

Darrell Steinberg, Chair of the State Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water is hosting a public hearing on the Los Angeles River this Friday, May 11th at 1PM. It will take place in the Executive Dining Room of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power at 111 N. Hope Street in downtown Los Angeles.

The hearing will consist of four parts. It will begin with a short powerpoint presentation on the Los Angeles River. The second part will be a panel of local elected officials. The third part will be the perspective of several nonprofit organizations and at the end there will be an opportunity for public comment.

The Los Angeles City Council has approved the L.A. River Revitalization Master Plan which can be downloaded here.

Groundbreaking for City's First Prop O Project: The Cesar Chavez Recreation Complex

On Thursday April 12, 2006, Councilmembers Cardenas and Perry joined LADWP's Ron Deaton, Bureau of Sanitation's Rita Robinson, City Engineer Gary Lee Moore, and Rec and Parks' Jon Mukri in the ceremonial groundbreaking of the first Prop O funded project -- the conversion of a 40-acre site that was formerly used as a landfill [more]

MEDIA ALERT: L.A. River Press Conference Thursday February 22 10:30 AM

Join Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, L.A. Councilmembers Reyes, LaBonge, Greuel, and Huizar along with L.A. County Supervisor Gloria Molina at Egret Park on Riverside Drive between the 5 Freeway and Barclay Street. Plans to green a 32-mile stretch of the Los Angeles River, as proposed in the Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan draft, will be unveiled.

City of Los Angeles Ordinance Amendment re: SUSMP Plan Check Fees

Effective January 19, 2007, a plan check fee will be collected to review stormwater mitigation measures for new development and redevelopment projects under either a Standard Urban Stormwater Mitigation Plan (SUSMP) or a Site Specific Mitigation Plan.

On December 14, 2006, The City of Los Angeles approved Ordinance No. 178132 amending the City Code to recover fees of providing Best Management Practices Plan Check to comply with SUSMP or the Site Specific Plan. The ordinance and fee schedule can be downloaded by clicking here.

New S.A.F.E. Center Opens in Northeastern Los Angeles/Atwater Area

Now, residents in Los Angeles' northeastern area will have a safe, convenient method for disposing household chemicals and other toxic materials [more]

Re-Enchanting the City Conference; Preserving Wildlife Corridors

The Re-Enchanting the City IV Conference is scheduled for Saturday, October 21st, 2006 at Friendship Auditorium, across from the Los Feliz entrance to Griffith Park. Well-known experts will explain why Wildlife Corridors, the animal paths used to traverse wild and urban habitat areas, are critical to maintaining genetic diversity and healthy animal populations. [more]

Bureau of Sanitation's EMD "Santa Monica Bay Status Report"

The City's Environmental Monitoring Division has made available the findings of their 2004 Status Report of Santa Monica Bay. [more]

"All the Way to the Ocean" — a Children's Storybook on Storm Drain Pollution is Released

Featuring richly-illustrated pages throughout, this recently published book by author Joel Harper tells the story about two friends discovering of the harmful effects of ocean pollution. This story deals specifically with storm drain run-off that travels directly into our natural bodies of water [more]

City Officials Announce Los Angeles River Revitalization Plans

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa joined other City officials announcing proposed plans for the revitalization of the Los Angeles River. [more]

Stormwater Program Participation at the Plastics Debris Conference

Program staff were on hand at the Plastics Debris Conference held September 12th in Redondo Beach [more]

Los Angeles River Campaign Launch

City officials, 20 community LA River organizations, and friends publicly acknowledged the forgotten landmark — and launch a public education campaign on the Los Angeles River [more]

Integrated Regional Watershed Management Plans (IRWMPs)

IRWMP drafts were prepared pursuant to Proposition 50, Chapter 8: Ballona Creek, Dominguez Channel, Los Angeles River, and Santa Monica Bay watersheds [more]

Development BMP Handbook: Part A; Construction Activities- 3rd Edition

The latest revision of the Construction Activities Handbook that provides general guidance for selecting and implementing BMPs to prevent the discharge of pollutants from construction sites to receiving bodies of water [more]

L.A. City Council initiates smoking ban on L.A. beaches

The Los Angeles City Council voted to prohibit smoking in City parks consisting of beaches and to prohibit the disposal of tobacco products except in approved containers in City parks consisting of beaches [more]

Dispose Your Chemicals, Leftover Paint, and Used Motor Oil the Right Way!

S.A.F.E. Collection Centers are now ready to accept City of Los Angeles resident's household "Special Materials." Find out where the one nearest you is located!