Benefits of a Rain Ready California
Poppies at Point Buchon (County of San Luis Obispo)
Getting Rain Ready provides a wealth of benefits to California communities. Protecting and collecting rainwater means more water for California, beautiful public spaces, habitat for plants and animals, cleaner neighborhoods and more.
More Water for California
It’s no secret that Californians need a secure, clean water supply to meet the needs of people and the environment. Rain is a valuable source of fresh water that is not being collected for use. Instead, most of the rainwater that comes during storms gets washed out to sea.
Some cities are already making progress on collecting water to bolster the water supply, thanks to both traditional dams and new green infrastructure. During just four rainy days in February 2024 the City of Los Angeles collected 8.6 billion gallons of rainwater, enough to supply 106,000 households for an entire year.
Earvin “Magic” Johnson Park (County of Los Angeles)
Beautiful and Healthy Public Spaces
Rain Ready projects can range from small rain gardens next to parking lots and sidewalks to large parks like Magic Johnson Park in Los Angeles. No matter how small, rainwater collection projects enhance the beauty and health of landscapes along with providing habitat for insects and wildlife to local communities. Many projects include beautiful and natural landscape features and techniques that can provide cleaner water, air, cooling when it’s hot, and green spaces for communities.
Top Photo: East Los Angeles Sustainable Median Stormwater Capture Project (County of Los Angeles) / Bottom Photo: Sloan Johnson Oso de Oro Lake Park (Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District)
Increased Resilience to Extreme Weather and Flooding
Extreme weather is here! As the climate changes, storms, droughts and other extreme weather events become more intense and less predictable. Rain Ready solutions also reduce flooding. Modernizing our infrastructure and using natural systems to collect rainwater is an effective solution to protect against extreme weather events.
Habitat for Wildlife
By protecting rainwater, we protect and strengthen wildlife habitat. Projects that collect rainwater can restore or enhance wetlands, which help to regulate climate and improve ecosystem health.
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What You Can Do
