Author: Kris Weber, CESSWI, CPESC, CPSWQ, LEED AP, AICP
500,000 acre feet of runoff flows to the ocean from the LA County basin each year.
In response to recent court rulings related to protection of the Delta Smelt many water purveyors have significantly reduced their promises of water supply for future growth and expansion within southern California.
Retention of stormwater flows that could be captured and diverted to ground water recharge areas is becoming paramount in importance to the entire southern California basin. Our region typically experiences short duration intense rainfall events followed by prolonged months of drought conditions. Currently it is estimated that 500,000 acre feet of runoff flows to the ocean from the LA County basin each year. Capturing and reusing some of this runoff would take tremendous pressure off of our reliance on imported water supplies.
John Gass, PE, Water Resources Director for Hunsaker & Associates Irvine, believes that this type of reuse, a “Green Water” approach will be critical to addressing the water supply needs of future development in southern California. Realizing that a typical household uses 1 acre foot of water annually, the growth that could be supported from even a partial recapture is very significant.
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