Tujunga Spreading Grounds Enhancement Project

Tujunga Spreading Grounds Before

Tujunga Spreading Grounds After

Project Background

LADWP and the Los Angeles County Flood Control District (LACFCD) partnered to enhance the 150-acre Tujunga Spreading Grounds, an important stormwater capture and groundwater recharge project that will help increase local water supplies and reduce L.A.’s reliance on expensive imported water.

Completed Enhancements include the deepening and reconfiguring of spreading basins as well as the installation of new intake structures. Aside from recharging the aquifer, the renovation beautifies the facility and now provides an open space and waking path for the community. The project received a $3.2 million grant through the Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (IRWMP) under Proposition 84 and a $7.0 million grant through the Storm Water Grant Program under Proposition 1.

Location

The project is located at the intersection of Interstate 5 and CA-170 in the Sun Valley area of Los Angeles, CA, Council District 6, represented by Councilmember Nury Martinez.

Project Description

The Tujunga Spreading Grounds construction project includes reconfiguring and deepening the 20 spreading basins into 9 large basins through the removal of soil and sediment from the site. Based on community input for the project, a quiet, emission-less electric conveyor system is used to transport soil off site. The conveyor system efficiently moves the soil without the use of trucks which reduces traffic, air, and noise impacts in the area. Improvements also include two new inflatable rubber dams and intakes at the bottom of the adjacent Tujunga Wash Channel to divert stormwater into the spreading grounds. The project will also modernize the facility with new sensors and control systems.

Project Benefits

• Increase reliable and sustainable local water supply. The project will double the facility’s stormwater capture and recharge capacity, delivering on average 5 billion gallons of water to recharge the groundwater basin annually. This is enough water to sustain approximately 64,000 homes for a year.
• Improve water quality in the Los Angeles River by reducing polluted runoff.
• Improve the health of the San Fernando Groundwater Basin.
• Reduce the city’s dependence on imported water.
• Provide open space and a walking path for community enjoyment.

Project Schedule 

Costs

• Project cost:  
  $50.4 million total  
   
• External funding:  
  Proposition 84 Integrated Regional Water Management Grant - $3.2 million  
  Proposition 1 Storm Water Grant Program - $7.0 million  
  Los Angeles County Flood Control District - $6.3 million

Project Partners

• Los Angeles County Flood Control District
• California Department of Water Resources
• California State Water Resources Control Board

• Los Angeles City Council, Sixth District