Metropolitan is getting ready to launch it’s first-ever stormwater pilot program.
As the region's population grows and the climate continues to change, so is the approach to ensuring there's enough water now and in the future.
Those are some of the reasons for the new $5 million pilot program that was recently approved by the Board to help agencies build new stormwater capture projects or add monitoring equipment to existing projects. Data will be collected for three years to help make decisions about future investments.
“We want to better understand that potential and its cost as part of our commitment to developing local resources,” said Chairwoman Gray in a press release.
For decades, Metropolitan has been diversifying its water supply portfolio by investing in local water projects. This includes over $500 million for more than 100 groundwater recovery and recycled water projects through the Local Resource Program. But local stormwater capture projects have not been funded through the program.
General Manager
Kightlinger
noted stormwater projects “are typically expensive to build. So as we explore opportunities to invest in these projects, in partnership with parties interested in their other benefits, we need to understand their water supply value.”
Project applications will be accepted starting January 1.