LOS ANGELES, CA – Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez and Mayor Karen Bass held a groundbreaking ceremony and press conference marking the start of construction on the David Gonzales Recreation (DMG) Center Stormwater Capture Project which will improve water quality, increase local groundwater supply, and strengthen climate resilience in the San Fernando Valley.
They were joined by community members and officials from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), the Bureau of Engineering (BOE), and the Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP).
“Today’s groundbreaking in Pacoima marks the beginning of nine stormwater capture projects across the City of Los Angeles, reinforcing Council District 7’s leadership in advancing Los Angeles’ climate future,” said Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez. “This transformative investment will create a resilient source of clean water for our neighborhoods while expanding green space and enhancing the well-being of our communities.”
“The impact of the climate crisis is local. But thankfully, so too are the solutions,” said Mayor Bass. “These investments in stormwater capture don’t only improve our local water supply – they help reduce runoff into the ocean, lessen our dependence on imported water, and enhance Los Angeles’ overall resilience. The project we broke ground on today is just one of nine in our Stormwater Capture Parks Program expected to break ground this year that will drastically increase Los Angeles’ stormwater capture capacity. That’s a huge win for sustainability.”
“The Stormwater Capture Parks Program exemplifies how we are redefining Los Angeles’ relationship with water by transforming the way we plan, build, and adapt for the decades ahead,” said LADWP Interim General Manager David W. Hanson. “At David M. Gonzales Park, on average, we will capture enough stormwater each year to fill 165 Olympic-sized swimming pools and enhance local water reliability while simultaneously revitalizing community spaces and advancing a more resilient Los Angeles.”
“The Stormwater Capture Parks Program is the kind of infrastructure development that delivers on multiple fronts,” said President of the Los Angeles Board of Water and Power Commissioners Allan Marks. “As we face increasing pressure on our water supplies and the growing impacts of climate change, local water projects like this are essential. By capturing, treating, and storing millions of gallons of stormwater that would otherwise flow to the ocean, we are creating a more resilient and sustainable water future in Los Angeles for generations to come.
“The stormwater capture project at the DMG Recreation Center marks a pivotal moment for the community and will contribute significantly to Angelenos’ water resilience,” said Recreation and Parks Department General Manager Jimmy Kim. “This project provides critical infrastructure improvements that not only enhance our parks, but also turn captured stormwater into a valuable community asset.”
BACKGROUND:
The Stormwater Capture Parks Program Project at David M. Gonzales Recreation Center is the first of nine projects in the City’s Stormwater Capture Parks Program that will collectively capture nearly 950 million gallons of water a year with the goal of more than doubling the average stormwater Los Angeles is able to capture to nearly 50 billion gallons annually by 2035.
The project will install a 2.6-acre underground infiltration gallery capable of capturing and infiltrating stormwater runoff from an approximately 575-acre tributary area, while also restoring and improving park amenities for the surrounding community.
Funded through a partnership between LADWP and Measure W, the project will create approximately 85 jobs and represents more than $50 million in infrastructure and environmental improvements for Pacoima and surrounding neighborhoods.
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