A motion to place solar panels over the 370-mile Los Angeles Aqueduct in an attempt to reduce evaporation and add capacity for renewable energy for residents was introduced Friday by City Councilman Mitch O’Farrell.
Around one-tenth of the water in the aqueduct is lost from evaporation each year due to the length of travel for water to make it through the aqueduct, according to O’Farrell’s office.
The aqueduct, which opened in 1913, provided nearly 40% of Los Angeles’ water supply each year between 2016 and 2019, but the city has lessened its reliance in recent years, according to the motion.
“Los Angeles is already doing so much to fight the climate crisis and advance our environmental justice goals, but as we act urgently, we must also think creatively,” O’Farrell said in a statement. “The aqueduct is the reason that modern-day Los Angeles exists, but we’re not using it smartly enough.”
O’Farrell is the chair of the council’s Energy, Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and River committee.
In a second environment-related motion filed Friday, O’Farrell sought to require new developments of greater than 100,000 square feet to install gray-water reuse systems. He also asked for a plan to reach the goal of irrigating 100% of trees located on the public right-of-way with recycled water.
“Smart, creative innovations like these are needed for Los Angeles to effectively and urgently fight the climate crisis,” O’Farrell said.