Los Angeles is a bustling metropolis, and it takes a lot of water to keep it running. But where does all that water come from? In this article, we'll explore the various sources of water for the City of Los Angeles, from groundwater to imported water, and how they are managed. Until the first half of the 20th century, some areas of Los Angeles County had very high groundwater and springs that residents could use as a source of water, said Madelyn Glickfeld, co-director of the UCLA Water Resources Group. Eventually, “we started to run out of groundwater,” Glickfeld said, which led to the use of imported water through the State Water Project.
Today, most of L. A.'s water comes from imported sources. The State Water Project supplies treated water from Northern California, while the City of Los Angeles imports water from the Owens Valley. In addition to imported water, L.
A. also captures part of local stormwater through a system of dams, reservoirs and extended land. This system captures one-third of the drinking water supply for Los Angeles County, said Director Mark Pestrella. Recycled water also plays a role in L.
A.'s water supply. Wastewater from sinks, showers, toilets and beyond is purified through multiple treatment levels and used for irrigation and other non-potable uses. Groundwater has constituted approximately 10% of L. A.'s total water supply in recent years.
The goal is to increase this amount in the future. But with California's propensity for drought and the realities of climate change, imported water will remain an important part of L. A.'s water supply. The Colorado River Aqueduct is another important source of water for Los Angeles. This 242-mile aqueduct system supplies some of the Colorado River water to L.
A., crossing different regions of the Americas before being channeled south through the Colorado River and eventually reaching the Los Angeles aqueduct. The average annual yield is 1,200,000 acre·ft. With droughts in the west, the amount of water allowed in Los Angeles could decrease, so recycled local fresh water is becoming increasingly important as an alternative source. All these sources are managed by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). Those interested in learning more about the city's water system can take a virtual tour of the Albert Robles Center for Water Recycling and Environmental Learning. In conclusion, Los Angeles obtains its water from a variety of sources: groundwater, imported water from Northern California and Owens Valley, stormwater capture systems, recycled wastewater and Colorado River Aqueduct.
