Los Angeles Water StoryTalking About the Future

Jonathan Parfrey Climate Resolve

September 26, 2013

LADWP: 11% local water today to 37% local water by 2035

Barriers to Local Water Adoption

• Upfront costs are significant• ROI is not easily understood• Public views investment in local water as

optional. Virtuous but not essential• Public faith in government is low• Public distrusts mega-projects• “Uckk” factor with recycled water• Public confidence in the “future” is low.

Put People in the Picture

LA River: Terraced seating and native wildlife habitat

LA River - "greening" of sections through Canoga Park

LA River - cantilevered greenway trail

Permeable street surfaces replenish ground water

Native plant landscaping to replace lawns

El Sereno - Public Street Plaza near Food 4 Less

Castelar Elementary - Pedestrian Improvements

My Figueroa - Multi-Modal Connections

Green outdoor space and community gardens at schools

Three SchoolsBEFORE and AFTER views

WARNING:REAL LIFE – NOT A RENDERING

• Broadous Elementary• Open Charter• Main Street Elementary

Broadous Elementary - BEFORE

Vortechnics Stormwater Filter

More infiltrators

Broadous Elementary - AFTER

Open Charter Playground - BEFORE

Digging the hole at Open Charter Playground

Almost complete . . .

Open Charter Playground - AFTER

Open Charter Playground - AFTER

Main Street Elementary School - BEFORE and AFTER

My Figueroa: Complete street improvements

Boyle Heights - Pedestrian Street Improvements

York Blvd - Public Street Porch in underused right of way

Jonathan Parfrey jparfrey@ClimateResolve.org