Volume 1 | January 2023

The Monthly Drop highlights the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power's (LADWP's) water policies, innovations and initiatives.

We're your source for L.A.'s water news.

L.A. Captures 13.6 Billion Gallons of

Stormwater from Recent Downpours

Above, the recently completed Tujunga Spreading Grounds Enhancement project doubled the capacity for stormwater capture at the spreading grounds. Below, local Green Street projects help strategically capture more rainwater runoff.

With weeks of rain pounding Los Angeles and the greater Southern California region, LADWP's significant investments in expanding stormwater capture infrastructure were paying major dividends in replenishing our groundwater basins. During the rainy season so far, from October 1, 2022 through January 17, 2023, LADWP estimated the cumulative amount of stormwater capture is approximately 41,900 acre-feet. That translates to about 13.6 billion gallons—enough water to serve 167,500 households for a year or equivalent to filling 20,700 Olympic size swimming pools.

Capital improvement projects such as the Tujunga Spreading Grounds Enhancement completed last year, and local community improvements like the San Fernando Valley Green Streets, have increased LADWP’s total stormwater capture capacity from about 64,000 acre-feet per year (AFY) in 2015 to over 82,600 AFY -- representing 55% of the way to achieving the City of Los Angeles’ 2035 goal of 150,000 AFY, or 48.9 billion gallons, of stormwater capture capacity.

Read the News Release issued Jan. 11, 2023

View recent media coverage:

ABC7

KPCC Air Talk

LAist

To learn more about the expansion of local water resources,

visit LADWP.com/WaterStrong

Sierra Storms Boost Snowpack

But Water Officials Say the Drought Is Not Over Yet

The spate of storms in early January has boosted the Sierra snowpack with the water content level measuring "above normal" for this date compared to a typical water year. While cautiously optimistic, forecasters are still predicting that dry conditions will persist through the 2022-23 year, and cite the lesson learned last year after record precipitation in December 2021 was followed by the driest January through March on record. The consensus is that it will take more than a few good storms to mitigate the water supply shortage created during the multi-year drought.

View Snowpack Reports

Mono Lake Basin Provides Critical Water Supply

The Mono Basin continues to provide a reliable, affordable water supply for Los Angeles and benefits the water supply for California overall by offsetting the need for LADWP to attempt to obtain additional water from other water systems, such as the State Water Project/Bay Delta and the Colorado River, which are severely strained. The good news is that, as of January 4, 2023, the Mono Lake level was measured at nearly two feet higher than the minimum level of 6,377 acre-feet set by the State Water Resources Control Board to govern the amount of water that can be diverted from the creeks. Due to the significant precipitation from recent rainstorms in the Mono Basin, the lake level is likely to rise further.

The State Water Resources Control Board is expected to hold a public workshop on February 15 to discuss issues surrounding the level of Mono Lake. Visit the State Board calendar for agenda updates and meeting information.

LADWP and Mono Lake

Since the early 1980s LADWP has been dedicated to the environmental restoration of the Mono Basin, a unique and beautiful region in the Eastern Sierra.

View Mono Basin restoration video

Catch the Rain! LADWP Offers Generous Rebates for Rain Barrels and Cisterns

With the recent rain and more in the forecast, now is a good time to take advantage of LADWP's rebates for rain barrels and cisterns. LADWP’s rebates range from up to $50 for rain barrels that hold at least 50 gallons of water (limited to two per service address), and up to $300 to $500 for cisterns ranging in size from 200 to over 1,000 gallons (limit of one per service).

LADWP.com/SAVE

Then click on the tab for Landscape & Irrigation - Water Conservation

We want to hear from you! Please email us to learn more and provide feedback.

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