Water

Southern California’s arid conditions make water conservation and rainwater harvesting critical for long-term sustainability. Water runoff can carry pollutants harmful to local waterways, making stormwater management essential. Comprehensive water stewardship through infrastructure investments and conservation practices protects water supply, minimizes flooding damage, and maintains water quality.

Water Goal (W): Implementing advanced stormwater management, promoting conservation practices, and protecting local water supplies.

Key Achievements

• The City is working on several stormwater projects through the Safe Clean Water Program. These include improvements to Burke Heritage Park and Marengo Yard, which will help filter pollutants and improve public spaces.
• A Green Street Demonstration Project on Main Street will show how medians can capture and treat stormwater while raising awareness about water quality and green infrastructure.
• The City is upgrading to Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) with smart water meters that provide real-time usage data to residents and help detect leaks early. This technology enhancement will improve water conservation efforts and enhance the City’s water system management capabilities.

Community Spotlight: Main Street Green Street Demonstration Project

The City of Alhambra’s Main Street Green Street Demonstration Project represents a groundbreaking approach to urban water management, transforming a busy arterial corridor from Fremont Avenue to Hampden Terrace into a living example of how cities can work with nature to solve environmental challenges while enhancing community life. This pioneering initiative seamlessly integrates green infrastructure techniques — including bioretention areas and drywells within the street’s wide center medians — to capture and filter stormwater runoff before it carries pollutants like metals, bacteria, and trash into local waterways and storm drains. What makes this project truly special is its comprehensive approach to community benefits: while the bioretention facilities and native plantings are working behind the scenes to replenish local groundwater supplies and improve water quality, residents and visitors experience a beautifully transformed streetscape that reduces urban heat island effects, enhances air quality, and creates places for community gathering.