Water in California

UCLA Sustainability | Denita Toneva & Bonny Bentzin

Where does our water come from?

Three Imported Sources:

1. Los Angeles Aqueduct from Owen’s Valley
2. State Water Project from the Bay Delta
3. Colorado River Aqueduct from the Colorado River

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Two Local Sources:

• Groundwater
• Surface and Recycled Water

Problem with Imported Water

• Importing water requires a lot of money for infrastructure and energy for transportation.

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• Taking so much water from natural habitats affects the ecology of the source.
• The Bay Delta is losing endangered fish species and their natural estuaries
• Owen’s Valley is no longer a viable farming community

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• Less resilient because during droughts (which happen often), the water sources dry out very quickly.

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• Dependence on imported sources is not sustainable. The more water that is lost to climate change, the less Los Angeles gets.

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Local Water Sources

• About one-third of our water comes from groundwater reserves. Most of this is consumed by agriculture.

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• Only small percentage of water comes from local surface water or recycling.

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• After a series of floods, the Army Corp of Engineers decided to channelize the Los Angeles River in 1938.

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• Most of our local water just runs off into the ocean rather than being stored or used to replenish groundwater.

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UCLA used to have multiple creeks running through campus. Now we only have Stone Canyon Creek behind the Anderson School and it is dry most of the year.

Why do we have droughts?

Low precipitation is natural in California but made much worse by climate change.

2. Faster melting of snowpack due to higher temperature means our water runs offs into the ocean.

3. An area of high pressure called the Ridiculously Resilient Ridge redirects storms away from California.

1. Increased evaporation due to higher temperatures results in less groundwater.

Why are droughts a problem?

• California has the largest agriculture in the country (produces ⅓ of America’s vegetables and ⅔ of America’s fruits and nuts).

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• Droughts increase the risk of wildfires which result in pollution, habitat loss, and property destruction.

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• Decreased water supply can become an equity issue if water prices rise and low-income people have less access.

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• California’s fish and wildlife cannot survive with extended periods of drought.

Potential Drought Solutions

1. Stormwater Capture
1. Cisterns and rain barrels that capture and reuse water
2. Low impact development - bioswales, rain gardens, and permeable pavement that help replenish groundwater
3. UCLA has a stormwater cistern, bioswale, and rain garden

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• Potable Water Reuse
• Purple pipe - reclaimed water used for irrigation
• Indirect potable reuse - put reclaimed water into waterways and groundwater which is then cleaned to potable standards
• Direct potable reuse - convert reclaimed water directly to potable
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lI_YlUDAv3c

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• Conservation
• State sets mandates for urban water use reduction
• Metropolitan Water District provides rebates for grass turf removal
• Minimal impact since urban use is only about 10%

Where does our water go?

Separated Wastewater System

• Includes all the water that is used indoors (toilets, showers, sinks etc.)

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• Goes to Hyperion Treatment Plant in Playa Del Rey primary and secondary treatment. Outfall 5 miles out.

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• Some water goes to West Basin Treatment Plant for tertiary treatment (purple pipe).

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• Small amount goes to Ed C Little Treatment Plant for quaternary.

Sewer System

Stormwater System

• Includes all the water that is released outdoors (irrigation, washing, precipitation, etc.)

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• Goes into our storm drains and directly into the ocean.

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• Only Santa Monica has an urban runoff recycling facility for the Pico Kenter Storm Drain.

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• SMURRF can only treat 500,000 gallons per day, but LA County produces 100 million per day (dry)

Santa Monica Urban Runoff Reclamation Facility (SMURRF)

Hyperion Water Treatment Plant

Pollution of Oceans and Waterways

• Plastic and chemical pollution
• Contamination of seafood
• Leaching of toxins
• Loss of fish and wildlife
• Loss of recreation

What is the future of water in LA?

Water Plans

LA City

Green New Deal pLAn

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• Source 70% of LA water locally and capture 150,000 AFY by 2035

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• Recycle 100% of all wastewater by 2035

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• Build at least 10 new stormwater capture projects by 2025

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• Reduce potable water use by 22.5% by 2025

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• Install hydration stations at 200 sites by 2035

LA County

OurCounty Plan

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• Strategy 1E - Ensure access to safe, clean, affordable water

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• Strategy 2C - Create an integrated and resilient water system

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• Strategy 5B - Preserve and enhance open space, waterways, and priority ecological areas

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• Strategy 9B - Implement strong water conservation measures

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UCLA

UC Policy on Sustainable Practices

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• Reduce water consumption by 36% by 2025 compared to baseline

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• Develop and maintain Water Action Plan

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UCLA Sustainability Plan

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• Build wastewater treatment plant on campus

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• Improve landscaping and irrigation technology

Water at UCLA

Water-Saving Technology

Hydroponic Towers

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• 50 hydroponic towers above B-Plate that use 95% less water than traditional irrigation by minimizing evaporation.

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• Not enough to supply dining halls but demonstrates urban agriculture solutions.

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• Hydroponics towers used in LA Mayor’s house as well as many NY rooftops to supply restaurants.

Cogeneration Filtration System

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• Cogeneration Facility produces 42MW of energy for UCLA campus including all heating/cooling.

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• Water is cooling system for Cogen and we used to lose 80,000 gallons per day due to build up of minerals and salts that needed to be flushed.

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• Partnered with Professor Yorem Cohen to pilot filtration system that became permanent installment and saves 18.5 millions gallons/year.

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Condensate Capture Program

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• Capture condensate from HVAC and lab systems and return water to Cogen.

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• Saves 40 million gallons/year.

Stormwater Capture

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• Sustainability Action Research (SAR) Team designed stormwater capture system

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• 10,000 gallon stormwater capture tank at newly remodeled Geffen Hall

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• Stormwater capture tank in parking lot 9 which irrigates landscaping in the area through purple pipe

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Landscaping Transformations

Between Murphy Hall and Dodd Hall

UCLA is converting natural spaces to include drought-tolerant, native landscaping that reduces the need for irrigation and creates more study spaces.

Landscaping Transformations

In front of Bunche Hall

Landscaping Transformations

Behind Molecular Science Building

Landscaping Transformations

Includes bioswale which is landscape feature that helps direct rainwater downward to replenish groundwater rather than running off into storm drains.

Landscaping Transformations

UCLA aims to increase biodiversity by planting native plants that create habitat for animals like the red-tailed hawks and great horned owls.

How can I help?

Water Footprint

Food

Energy

Direct

Your water footprint shows the amount of water that is used to produce all the goods and services that you use.

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Over 50% of the average individual’s water consumption comes from the food that they eat.

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Over 25% of the average individual’s water consumption comes from the generation of energy that they use.

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Less than 25% of the average individual’s water consumption actually comes from direct use of water.

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Eating less meat and dairy, conserving electricity, and driving less are the best ways to save water and mitigate climate change that perpetuates drought.

Eliminating single-use plastics and switching to reusables helps prevent the pollution of our waterways and ocean.

Ways to Conserve Water and Prevent Pollution at Home

• Limit irrigation and if you must, only water at night to avoid evaporation.
• Invest in rain barrels if you frequently irrigate.
• Poor any excess water outdoor on plants where it will help replenish groundwater rather than running off into the ocean.
• Wash your car with green certified cleaning products (or don’t wash it at all).
• Pick up after your dog to prevent feces contamination.
• Invest in water and energy efficient laundry and kitchen appliances.
• Invest in water saving showers, faucets, and toilets.
• Limit or shorten your use of these appliances or water fixtures if you are not able to change them in your home.

Questions?