Proactive Advances in Stormwater Management for Green Streets and Public Rights-of-Way in the City of Los Angeles

Following the 2014 adoption of a strategic and proactive council motion supporting stormwater management and low impact development in public streets and rights of way, the City of Los Angeles (City) Bureau of Sanitation (LASAN) initiated development of a program supporting stormwater management practices for public streets. These practices will be implemented through an ordinance and policy to prioritize multi-benefit solutions and address key infrastructure needs that include: a) drainage capacity/flood mitigation; b) stormwater infiltration feasibility; and c) water quality improvement. The water quality components support compliance with municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) permit requirements, and specifically provisions described in enhanced watershed management programs (EWMPs) city-wide. The needs are established though a geospatial evaluation of city-wide characteristics, including physical geologic conditions and water quality needs for permit compliance. The practices build off the city’s recently updated low impact development (LID) handbook, and include design criteria and conceptual design elements (typical schematics, plan, profile, sections) and narrative specifications.