On October 15, 2026, officials from the City of Los Angeles, including Councilwoman Traci Park, as well as partner agencies from across the county celebrated the ribbon cutting of the Ballona Creek Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) project. The Ballona Creek TMDL Project is the first Safe Clean Water Program regionally-funded project delivered by the City of Los Angeles. Led by LA Sanitation & Environment, designed and constructed by the Bureau of Engineering, and with the support and partnership of nine other local agencies, this watershed-wide, multi-benefit project consists of two low flow treatment facilities: one in Culver City adjacent to the Ballona Creek, and one in Council District 11 adjacent to the Sepulveda Channel.  

“Ballona Creek is one of the most important waterways in our region, and this project represents a major investment in protecting it,” said Councilwoman Traci Park.  “By capturing and treating polluted runoff before it reaches the creek and Santa Monica Bay, we are improving water quality, protecting public health, and creating a new source of water for recycling at Hyperion. This is exactly the kind of infrastructure investment Los Angeles should be making — practical, regional, and built for the long term.”

This is the largest dry weather diversion and treatment project the City has delivered, with the potential to capture runoff from approximately 70,000 acres, or 85% of the Ballona Creek watershed area. It will significantly improve water quality to meet dry weather water quality standards and protect public health by diverting up to 23 million gallons per day of dry weather flow to Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant for future water recycling. An additional 7.3 million gallons per day of runoff is treated using an ozone technology and returned to the creek, protecting downstream estuary habitats and recreational zones in the Ballona Creek and the Santa Monica Bay.

Funding for this project is provided through a variety of City of Los Angeles funding sources, including Proposition O, Municipal Safe Clean Water Program funds, Regional Safe Clean Water Program funds, the general fund and partnering agencies. The project also benefits from funding contributions and support from partner agencies, including the Cities of Culver City, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and Inglewood, LA County Public Works, Los Angeles County Flood Control District and the California Department of Transportation.

“This project is just the beginning,” said LASAN Executive Director and General Manager, Joone Kim-Lopez. “Ambitious water quality goals have been set for the City of Los Angeles, and LASAN stands ready to meet that moment. With dozens of other Safe Clean Water projects in various stages of design and construction, our commitment to our precious natural resources and the future of our communities is clear.”

Watch a video about the project now.

About the Safe Clean Water Program:

In 2018, Los Angeles County voters approved Measure W, a special parcel tax funding the Safe Clean Water Program (SCWP). This program provides local, dedicated funding to increase water supply, improve water quality and create community enhancements throughout the County while supporting compliance with federal clean water mandates and addressing climate change.

A key focus of the Safe Clean Water Program is the concept of water capture, which involves collecting rainwater –  cleaning it, storing it and using it locally. This can be achieved through a variety of methods, including nature-based solutions with a focus on a multi-benefit approach that takes into consideration how other environmental, community and economic benefits can be achieved.

As the lead agency for the City of Los Angeles’ watershed management and water quality compliance programs, LA Sanitation & Environment is partnering with other City departments, the County of Los Angeles, other municipalities, regional agencies and non-governmental stakeholders to coordinate the City of Los Angeles’ Safe Clean Water Program.