LADWP captures nearly 5.5 billion gallons of stormwater after one of L.A.’s wettest Novembers

After one of the rainiest Novembers, Los Angeles officials reported a major boost to the city’s stormwater capture totals. Mayor Karen Bass announced that the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) has captured nearly 5.5 billion gallons of stormwater since October 1, 2025—enough to meet the annual water needs of almost 68,000 households.

“The City’s investments in stormwater capture infrastructure have allowed us to leverage the significant amount of recent rain to the L.A. region to add nearly 5.5 billion gallons of water to our local water supply, enough to serve almost 68,000 homes annually,” said Mayor Bass in a press release. “These investments are helping to improve our local water supply, reduce runoff into the ocean, and enhance Los Angeles’ overall resilience.”

Janisse Quiñones, LADWP CEO and Chief Engineer, said the milestone reflects the utility’s long-term strategy. “This achievement points to the success of our investments in stormwater capture infrastructure to build our local water supplies,” she said. “As a key strategy to ensure a sustainable water future, our goal is to continue expanding and maximizing our stormwater capture efforts to eventually reach 48.9 billion gallons of annual capacity by 2035.”

LADWP uses a mix of green stormwater infrastructure, residential-scale systems like rain barrels and cisterns, and large spreading grounds such as the Tujunga Spreading Grounds to recharge groundwater aquifers. The utility’s current stormwater capture facilities can collect more than 27 billion gallons annually under average conditions. LADWP plans continued expansion of both large-scale and neighborhood-level projects to reduce stormwater lost to the Pacific Ocean and strengthen Los Angeles’ long-term water resilience.