Sun Valley Park Drain and Infiltration System

The Sun Valley Park Drain and Infiltration System, completed in 2006 by the Los Angeles County Flood Control District (LACFCD), is a pilot project identified in the Sun Valley Watershed Management Plan. The project alleviates localized flooding in the 21-acre residential area tributary to the project. A storm drain system along Cantara Street captures storm water and delivers it to the park. Runoff is routed through a water quality treatment system at the park to remove suspended solids and heavy metals. The treated runoff is then directed into two underground infiltration chambers where the water is naturally filtered and recharged into the groundwater aquifer. The water conservation benefit is estimated to be 30 acre-feet per year. The infiltration chambers are buried beneath the soccer and baseball fields to maintain the park's functionality. Vegetated swales with California native plants were also strategically placed throughout the park to treat runoff from the surrounding areas. In addition, the project includes enhancements to the park's recreational amenities, such as new soccer and baseball fields, bleachers, sports lighting, and interpretive signage.

Construction of the Sun Valley Park Drain and Infiltration System was completed in 2006 with a total project cost of approximately $7 million. Funding was provided by the Department of Water Resources (Local Groundwater Assistance) grant, a Proposition 12 (Murray-Hayden) grant received by TreePeople, and the Los Angeles County Flood Control District. Operation and maintenance of the project components are shared between the Los Angeles County Flood Control District, the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation, and the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks.