Los Angeles City Councilman Mitch O’Farrell, 13th District, introduced initiatives on Oct. 7 to transform the city’s approach to water conservation and reuse, including a proposal to place solar panels along the Los Angeles Aqueduct.

“Los Angeles is already doing so much to fight the climate crisis and advance our environmental justice goals, but as we act urgently, we must also think creatively,” said O’Farrell, chair of the council’s Energy, Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and River Committee. “The aqueduct is the reason that modern-day Los Angeles exists, but we’re not using it smartly enough. Let’s change that, starting with [this] action. We also must significantly expand our efforts to conserve, recycle and reuse our water supply, which is why we need a new gray water ordinance. It is also an imperative that we water all our street trees with recycled water. Smart, creative innovations like these are needed for Los Angeles to effectively and urgently fight the climate crisis.”

O’Farrell’s first motion proposes that solar panels be installed atop the Los Angeles Aqueduct, the first section of which opened in 1913, and which from 2016-19 provided 38% of the city’s drinking water. The aqueduct delivers water to Los Angeles and has a combined approximate length of over 370 miles, a span that is virtually entirely exposed to evaporation from the sun, which causes it to lose approximately 10-11% of water each year. Covering the aqueduct with solar panels would help reduce evaporation, and will eventually add considerable renewable, carbon-free electrical capacity for over 1.54 million customers in Los Angeles, as well as over 6,000 customers in Owens Valley, O’Farrell said. The current LADWP power resources profile includes natural gas and other fossil fuels, which will be phased out by 2035 through LA100, a plan to create clean, renewable, fossil fuel-free energy.

O’Farrell’s second motion proposed that the city significantly expand its water conservation, recycling and reuse efforts, including implementation of an ordinance requiring gray water systems for new developments more than 100,000 square feet, depending on water use.  Gray water refers to all wastewater generated in households or office buildings from streams without fecal contamination. Though non-potable, it has value as a recycled water source, and could help Los Angeles significantly conserve its potable water resources, O’Farrell added.

The motion also directs the Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation to expand current programs focused on eliminating all pollutants from flowing into the ocean. It also directs a coordinated approach requiring all watering of street trees to be done with recycled water.

“We applaud Councilmember O’Farrell for his leadership and focus on the environment, which will also lead to good-paying, union jobs,” said Chris Hannan, executive secretary of the Los Angeles/ Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council.

For information, visit CD13.com.