Watershed Assessment Team & Emergency Response

The Los Angeles Sanitation & Environment (LASAN), Watershed Assessment Team and Emergency Response unit is the inspection arm of LASAN, primarily responsible for regulating, enforcing, and investigating environmental-related offenses within the City of Los Angeles. The Watershed Assessment Team and Emergency Response unit (W.A.T.E.R.) employs Environmental Compliance Inspectors, Senior Environmental Compliance Inspectors and Chief Compliance Environmental Inspectors.

The main responsibility of this unit is the enforcement of applicable environmental laws that protect public health and safety, the environment and water quality, including but not limited to, illegal dumping and illicit discharges. 

The State Regional Water Control Board has issued a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit requiring the Inspections of Commercial and Industrial facilities. Also, within the permit is a section called Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE). As a result, L.A.M.C. 64.70 was created to help tackle the responsibilities implemented by the State MS4 Permit. Enforcement of Los Angeles’ Stormwater and Urban Runoff Pollution Control ordinance (L.A.M.C. 64.70) is an integral part of protecting LA’s watersheds.
 

The Rules and Regulations adopted by the Board of Public Works (Board) are consistent with Chapter VI, Article 4.4 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code and effectuate the objectives and intent of the City of Los Angeles (City) Stormwater and Urban Runoff Pollution Control Ordinance. These Rules and Regulations are intended to provide appropriate Best Management Practices that balance environmental, economic, cultural and social considerations which result in the highest level of water resource protection, enhancement and restoration to the maximum extent practicable. With these Rules and Regulations, the City seeks to comply with all Federal and State laws, lawful standards and orders applicable to stormwater and urban runoff pollution control.