Rain to the Rescue: Stormwater’s Power to Increase California’s Local Water Supplies

The combination of climate change and ongoing drought has had a significant impact on cities, farms, and ecosystems across California—and the effects are intensifying as dry conditions continue. Thus, there is both a tremendous need and opportunity to sustainably increase water supplies in California. Green infrastructure can play a large role in increasing local water supply while reducing water pollution.

This brief examines two efforts that demonstrate stormwater as a key part of the solution—one by NRDC and the Pacific Institute, and another by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, TreePeople and Geosyntec. These analyses show how stormwater capture can provide effective near-time drought response and long-term water security—and how governments and residents can take action to help achieve both of these goals.