LOS ANGELES BOARD OF AIRPORT COMMISSIONERS APPROVES AGREEMENT TO EXPAND USE OF RECYCLED WATER AT LAX FOR LANDSCAPE IRRIGATION
(Los Angeles, California – June 18, 2015) – The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners today approved an agreement with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) for design and construction of apipeline carrying recycled water at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) at a cost of $690,000.
In this action, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) and LADWP will partner to install approximately 2,800 feet of recycled water pipeline along Imperial Highway west of Sepulveda Boulevard, to convert irrigation of 3.5 acres of landscaping from potable water to recycled water.
The agreement calls for LADWP to provide the design plan and reimburse LAWA for construction costs.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has established goals to reduce the per capita potable water use in the city by 20 percent by 2017.
In addition to further restricting irrigation with potable water use, LAWA has developed plans for installation of drought tolerant landscape, turf replacement and indoor water use reduction at its three airports: LAX, LA/Ontario International (ONT), and Van Nuys (VNY). Airport personnel are also participating in LADWP’s education and outreach campaign.
LAWA and LADWP have cooperatively worked together since 1997 to convert landscape irrigations systems from potable water to recycled water on the north side of the LAX campus, including the Westchester Golf Course; both sides of the Westchester Parkway; around the 88th Street sound wall in Westchester; and the employee parking lots adjacent to Will Rogers Street and Yorktown Avenue, also in Westchester.
To date, 63 percent of all LAX landscaped areas or approximately 51 acres are irrigated with recycled water. ONT has experienced a 16 percent reduction in potable water use since 2012.
At VNY, approximately 18,000 square feet of sod has been removed and converted to drought-tolerant plants, and hardscape. Standard sprinkler systems have also been converted to low-flow and drip systems, where appropriate.
