Chiland, E. (2016, October 23). LA asks state for more money to fund recycled water projects.
Retrieved November 17, 2016, from http://la.curbed.com/2016/10/23/13374554/recycled-water-los-angeles-drought-saving
Los Angeles has a serious dependence on imported water, and local officials want the state to pitch in more to help the city get more of its water from local sources. A letter was sent to the California Water Resources Control Board of Water Resources, the mayor and city controller asked for more money than the $15 million they already have to propel large infrastructure projects. The city is planning on a $435 million dollar project for a purification facility in Van Nuys. The project is expected to capture enough water to supply 90,000 homes each year. In order to reduce the amount of water imported from outside of Southern California, Los Angeles must expand its recycling programs.
It is so shocking how much money is needed for projects like these. We are already in trillions of dollars in debt and I wonder if there is another cost effective way Los Angeles can recycle water. This is relevant to the environment today because California has been facing a major drought in the past few years and water is so sparse they we must find a way to recycle water!
Shocking is a good word Caroline. These infrastructure projects are hugely expensive which should give us a new perspective on wasting water… or using it for things like water lawns and golf courses. Water is largely subsidized too, making it artificially cheap. If it cost more to the consumer, they’d conserve. What do you think- moving forward, do we build the expensive recycling plants or have consumers face the true cost of water to not use so much… or both?