Committee to Hear Update on $77 Million Stormwater Capture Effort

Pasadena’s Department of Public Works is scheduled to update the Municipal Services Committee on Wednesday, Oct. 7, on a portfolio of regional stormwater capture projects that would clean runoff, recharge groundwater and turn underused land into new park space.

The committee, an advisory panel of the City Council, would receive the informational update; approvals for individual projects rest with the City Council.

Six priority projects are advancing through design, permitting and early construction: Jefferson Park, the Sierra Madre Boulevard medians, Washington Park, Brookside Park, Eaton Wash and the Arroyo Seco Water Reuse Project, a partnership with South Pasadena. They stem from the city’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System permit, which requires Pasadena to cut pollutants reaching the Arroyo Seco, Rio Hondo and Los Angeles River watersheds.

The department reports more than $77 million secured so far, largely from county, state and partner sources, reducing reliance on the General Fund. Together the projects would treat roughly 744 acre-feet of stormwater and recharge about 459 acre-feet of groundwater a year. Two respond to the Eaton Fire: Jefferson Park draws from a 567-acre area downstream of the fire, and Eaton Wash would convert 3.5 acres adjacent to Eaton Blanche Park. Residents have backed the benefits while raising concerns about construction, maintenance costs and tree removal, the department said.

The free special meeting is set for 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, in the Council Chamber, Room S249, at Pasadena City Hall, 100 North Garfield Avenue. Residents may attend in person, join online at cityofpasadena.net/cczoom, call 1-669-900-6833 (meeting ID 161 482 446), or watch at pasadenamedia.org. For more, call (626) 744-7311 or visit cityofpasadena.net/commissions/agendas.