The Water Replenishment District of the City of Downey will construct a new injection well to increase groundwater recharge within the source aquifer to improve local water resilience. Project benefits include reducing imported water use to maintain the Alitmos Barrier, increase water supply through groundwater recharge, and maximize re-use of recycled wastewater produced by the LA Sanitation Districts.
Minor Basin: Los Angeles
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WRD Robert W. Goldsworthy Desalter Water Treatment Facility Improvement
In partnership with the Water Replenishment District of Southern California (WRD) and corporate sponsors, we supported the acquisition of a brackish water well to bolster regional water supply. The well is a component of the Torrance Groundwater Desalter Expansion Project (TGDE), which will use reverse osmosis to remove the salts from brackish groundwater and will provide high-quality drinking water to local water customers. This initiative is part of WRD’s Brackish Groundwater Reclamation Program, which seeks to optimize underutilized water resources and reduce dependence on imported water from the Colorado River and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
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Upper Los Angeles River Watershed Restoration
The Program led by the Council for Watershed Health focuses on removing the invasive, water-intensive Arundo donax (giant reed) from critical areas within the watershed, including the City of Los Angeles and the surrounding San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica Mountains. Arundo transpires water at five times the rate of native plants, significantly impacting water resources, quality, and habitat. By removing Arundo, this project aims to restore approximately 82 acres, improving water availability for downstream capture/recharge and in-stream flow, with each acre cleared providing 20 acre-feet per year of water savings. The eradication will also reduce fire risks and promote the recovery of native vegetation and wildlife habitats.
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Arundo Donax Removal in the Los Angeles Watershed Sepulveda and Porter Ranch
The Council for Watershed Health is implementing a project to remove Arundo donax, an invasive species severely impacting California’s waterways and biodiversity. Focused on the Los Angeles River basin, with targeted removal in Porter Ranch and Sepulveda Basin, the project will reduce excess evapotranspiration of water and mitigate downstream ecological damage. Removal methods include biomass removal and targeted herbicide application, followed by monitoring and passive revegetation to support native species recovery. This effort aligns with California’s 30×30 Conservation Plan and LA County’s Integrated Water Resources Management goals to enhance riparian habitats and protect threatened species.
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Arundo Removal in the Los Angeles River Watershed Box Canyon and Chatsworth Nature Preserve
The Council for Watershed Health will remove 3.25 acres of Arundo donax from targeted stream sites within the Los Angeles River watershed, specifically in the West Valley areas of Box Canyon, Chatsworth Lake Manor, and Chatsworth Nature Preserve. This invasive species removal will help improve water availability, enhance habitat for native wildlife, and reduce fire risks by eliminating dense Arundo stands.
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Arundo Removal in the Los Angeles Watershed Falls Creek
The Council for Watershed Health (CWH) is targeting the removal of Arundo donax, a high-water use invasive plant, in the Falls Creek area of the Devil’s Canyon subwatershed to conserve water and restore native habitat. By removing 2.4 acres of Arundo, the project will save 48 acre-feet of water annually and prevent further expansion downstream into the Los Angeles River. This effort will improve water availability, reduce fire risks, and support the re-establishment of native vegetation, enhancing both water quality and habitat for local wildlife.