Created By: Wholly H2O
When it rains, clean water falls into the river and onto the ground. However, when that rain falls onto any impermeable surface like concrete, streets and roofs, it becomes known as "stormwater," water that can't soak into the ground naturally. It also carries with it the trash and pollution accumulated on those hard surfaces. To prevent flooding, streets are typically engineered to quickly direct stormwater into municipal drains that dump directly into the Mokelumne River. This water flows out to the ocean taking its toxins with it instead of getting filtered through the soil and being available to the local ecosystem.
Before 2012, Lodi relied entirely on groundwater for its drinking supply. However, due to increased human use, there is not enough groundwater available to meet demand. Lodi had to purchase water rights from the Woodbridge Irrigation District to use surface water from the Mokelumne River. The city is now working to prioritize “groundwater recharge” to ensure a sustainable, long-term water supply. Groundwater recharge refers to rainwater or water from rivers soaking into the ground and filling up aquifers, an underground layer of permeable rock, sediment, or soil that holds water. These aquifers store water that can be drawn up through wells.
To help recharge groundwater, Lodi encourages residents to “capture, collect, and protect” rainwater. You can do this by using permeable surfaces, rain gardens, and directing downspouts to allow rainwater to soak into the ground rather than running off into storm drains. By keeping rainwater on-site, we support groundwater replenishment, which is essential for Lodi’s future water supply.
This point of interest is part of the tour: Walking Waterhoods: Lodi Lake
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