Hollywood Beautification Team Addresses Stormwater Conservation

Established three decades ago, the Hollywood Beautification Team has had a lasting community impact through programs that improve quality of life for local Los Angeles residents. Among Hollywood Beautification Team’s (HBT) programs are those focused on tree planting, mural painting, and water conservation.

The latter effort reflects a situation in which water retention has deteriorated with increased urbanization. Before concrete was laid over the city grid, stormwater would simply percolate down into aquifers and replenish the region’s groundwater supply. However, now stormwater flows through a storm drain system that is separate from the sewage system. Often polluted, it is left untreated and causes major water quality issues in local lakes, rivers, and the ocean. The amount of annual flow is substantial, with stormwater totaling around 200 billion gallons.

HBT’s focus is on conserving water through education and outreach, and it provides community workshops focused on Los Angeles’ water crisis. These offerings teach people methods of building stormwater capture systems with minimal outlays, whether in residential or commercial settings. Among the infiltration strategies are rain gardens, rain barrels, and other proven water conservation systems.