Here’s how much rain was captured during the LA storms – NBC Los Angeles

Nearly 5.5 billion gallons of water were captured during one of the wettest Novembers on record in Los Angeles, the LADWP said.

After a dry start to the water year, November brought several days of rain. The city captures water through its stormwater system, residential rain barrels and cisterns, and expansive spreading grounds where water collects to recharge underground aquifers. That groundwater can be pumped and treated to meet water quality standards for homes and businesses.

The LADWP’s stormwater system has the capacity to capture more than 27 billion gallons under average conditions, the agency said.

Stormwater runoff that can’t be captured is discharged into the ocean.

According to the most recent U.S. Drought Monitor report, 70 percent of California is drought-free with about 30 percent considered abnormally dry, including a portion of northeast and southern Los Angeles County.

At the start of California’s water year at the end of September, only 27 percent of California was drought-free with 73 percent considered abnormally dry. About 38 percent of the state was in moderate drought.

The amount of water captured in LA since Oct. 1 adds up to serve about 68,000 homes, the city said. The LADWP plans increase its stormwater projects and create more large spreading grounds.

The goal is to reach a capacity of 48.9 billion gallons on annual capacity by 2035.

The department offers rebates, including $50 for rain barrels that hold at least 50 gallons of water. Rebates for cisterns range from $300 to $500.