About LID

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Urban runoff discharged from municipal storm drain systems is one of the principal causes of water quality impacts in most urban areas. It can contain pollutants such as trash and debris, bacteria and viruses, oil and grease, sediments, nutrients, metals, and toxic chemicals that can negatively affect the ocean, rivers, plant and animal life, and public health.

LID is a stormwater management strategy that seeks to mitigate the impacts of increases in runoff and stormwater pollution as close to its source as possible. LID comprises a set of site design approaches and Best Management Practices (BMPs) that promote the use of natural systems for infiltration, evapotranspiration, and use of stormwater. These LID practices can effectively remove nutrients, bacteria, and metals from stormwater while reducing the volume and intensity of stormwater flows. With respect to urban development and redevelopment projects, it can be applied onsite to mimic the site’s predevelopment drainage characteristics. Through the use of various infiltration techniques, LID is geared towards minimizing surface area that produces large amounts of runoff and does not allow water to infiltrate into the ground. Where infiltration is infeasible, the use of bioretention, rain gardens, vegetated rooftops, and rain barrels that will store, evaporate, detain, and/or treat runoff can be used.

For questions related to projects required to comply with the Low Impact Development ordinance, please call (213) 482-7066 or visit the LA Stormwater Public Counter at 201 North Figueroa Blvd, 2nd Floor, Suite 280, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (new location as of January 14, 2019).

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