Stormwater can be our best friend.
See how we do itRaincycling!
Learn moreMeasure W for the win!
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What’s an ULARWMG?
Water in Los Angeles is well… complicated. Not many people realize what it takes to manage and control this crucial life resource in the region. It takes planning, testing, innovating, reclaiming, and recycling to push the water system toward the sustainable future we all hope for. And that’s where ULAR WMG comes in. This nerdy bunch of scientists, activists, and policy experts create initiatives and projects that work toward capturing and managing stormwater in the Upper LA River as well as the surrounding watersheds. It’s a huge interconnected effort, and takes the power of the collective group across 19 agencies to accomplish these goals across 480 miles of county space. Plus, with Measure W’s newly added funding (that you the taxpayer passed into law) we can do a great deal more!
Water in Los Angeles is well… complicated. Not many people realize what it takes to manage and control this crucial life resource in the region. It takes planning, testing, innovating, reclaiming, and recycling to push the water system toward the sustainable future we all hope for. And that’s where ULAR WMG comes in. This nerdy bunch of scientists, activists, and policy experts create initiatives and projects that work toward capturing and managing stormwater in the Upper LA River as well as the surrounding watersheds. It’s a huge interconnected effort, and takes the power of the collective group across 19 agencies to accomplish these goals across 480 miles of county space. Plus, with Measure W’s newly added funding (that you the taxpayer passed into law) we can do a great deal more!
Enemy of the Month
Copper
Copper is an important nutrient for healthy organisms and rivers, however, too much can be toxic, making it a ULAR watershed pollutant of concern. One source is automotive brake—or friction—pads where the soft metal improves braking. Every time a driver applies their brakes, invisible particulates are released into the air and fall onto impervious surfaces like streets, parking lots, and roofs, only to wash off when it rains. When studies found that much of the copper in urban runoff was derived from brake pads, cities negotiated with automobile and brake pad manufactures to reduce its content in new automotive brake pads. As older cars are retired, and newer more expensive cars used, the amount of copper released into the environment and washed into our rivers should decrease.
Toxic
SafeULAR working the water
We are so excited to let you see all the initiatives we are working on to manage stormwater and reduce pollution. Make sure to dive in and see exactly where your tax dollars are going and how critical they are to making LA’s water management successful.
We are so excited to let you see all the initiatives we are working on to manage stormwater and reduce pollution. Make sure to dive in and see exactly where your tax dollars are going and how critical they are to making LA’s water management successful.
Regional
Sometimes a project is so robust, that it takes the collective efforts of multiple Agencies and partners to accomplish this multi-benefit stormwater project. For example, Echo Park Lake's revitalization wasn't just a project to make a really pretty park (which it is). Rather, we incorporated aesthetic upgrades to the park with a stormwater diversion design to create a multi-functional stormwater capture, treat and release "Lake" that also provides urban respite and recreational activities to the community.
Green Streets
Everyone can agree: the more grass, trees, parks, and native foliage in our city the better. And while we work to make the streets greener, we have more than just aesthetics in mind. All this beautiful new foliage helps us work the stormwater properly and direct it in ways that will clean, recycle, and reclaim it.
Low Impact Development
Some require your help as well. There are a multitude of small (but mighty) initiatives we have created that involve people altering their homes or businesses in ways that benefit the stormwater system as a whole. Adding rain barrels or planter boxes, tearing up unnecessary concrete, or adding native greenery can all help. (And lessen your Measure W taxes to boot!)
