Why it matters:
The city does not have adequate funding to treat storm-water runoff, which poses serious environmental and health risks to residents and beach-goers.
Recap:
Los Angeles is in dire need of additional revenue to fund the treatment of storm-water runoff. As reported in the Los Angeles Times, “the current storm-water assessment of $23 a household — a fee that has not been raised in 16 years — is just not enough to clean up and maintain our long-neglected rivers, lakes and beaches.” Amid concern from the city council that his plan was too abrupt and too hasty, last week Mayor Villaraigosa decided to postpone his planned mail-in vote for homeowners that would have more than quadrupled the assessment to $99 over a five year phase in. For now, the city is going to focus on educating the public about the problem while the law makers try to figure out the best way to solve it.
Commentary:
We’re going to have to pay for storm-water treatment with either our wallets or our health, so support the city and pony up for the increased fee assessment when it eventually comes or purchase a great health insurance plan (you’ll need it cover the cost of your hospital stay due to hazardous bacteria exposure after your beach swim). Better yet, make sure you, your neighbors and your business aren’t creating hazardous water run-off.
