Capturing rainfall is only one part of the L.A. River's job. It is also a flood control channel that is critical to protecting lives and properties when stormwaters surge.
L.A. would have been a lot further along on treating and reusing wastewater if unscientific "toilet to tap" panic hadn't killed earlier efforts decades ago.
LOS ANGELES — Over the next two decades, Los Angeles County will collect billions more gallons in water from local sources, especially storm and reclaimed water, shifting from its reliance