Three years after a massive sewage spill at Los Angeles' Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant, the city has agreed to spend over $20 million on improvements as part of a settlement with federal prosecutors.
The 2021 spill released millions of gallons of sewage into Santa Monica Bay, prompting an investigation by the EPA and federal prosecutors. The settlement alleges that the spill was due to inadequate staffing, training and maintenance at the facility, though the city has not admitted fault. In exchange for the city's compliance with the settlement, no further legal action will be taken.
Man Rescued From Sewer Pipe in San Francisco
In San Francisco, a man was rescued from a sewer pipe after falling 20 feet below the street on the Great Highway, which runs along the western edge of the city overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
The incident occurred in the early morning hours when a passerby heard the man's screams from a manhole and alerted authorities. Firefighters arrived on the scene around 4:40 a.m. and used a fan, ropes and rescue baskets to pull him to safety. The man, who suffered serious injuries after falling on his head, was transported to a hospital for treatment.
California Announces Partnership to Measure River Flows
The California Department of Water Resources recently announced a new partnership opportunity to support the state’s ability to measure stream and river flows through the California Stream Gage Improvement Program, as climate extremes continue to impact the state’s water supply.
As part of the approximately $7 million program, DWR is seeking to partner with public agencies to install, upgrade and/or reactivate existing stream gage stations. This effort will expand California’s ability to access critical data that can inform important water management decisions during both flood and drought conditions.
