Workshop tackles water pollution, drought issues

A public workshop highlighting projects intended to improve water quality in local streams and Santa Monica Bay beaches will be from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tues., June 10 at the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District in Calabasas.

The Los Angeles Department of Public Works will host the workshop to discuss ways to improve the quality of beach water, restore native habitat in coastal creeks, and discuss the region's vulnerability to drought due to limited recycled and potable water supplies, said Randal Orton, director of the district's resource conservation and public outreach department.

Several projects addressing the issues are already being discussed, Orton said. If approved, they would be funded by a combination of local and state voterapproved bonds, such as Propositions 50 and 84, and other funding sources.

The water projects are part of a multiagency task force known as the Integrated Regional Water Management Plan. The group is coordinating water resources management for a broad segment of Los Angeles County.

The workshop is open to members of the public and local public officials. Due to limited space, reservations are required. For further information or reservations for the workshop, call (818) 2512200.

The Las Virgenes Municipal Water District is at 4232 Las Virgenes Road in Calabasas.

- Stephanie Bertholdo