Street Median Biofiltration Prevents Urban Runoff into Ocean

The Imperial Highway Sunken Median Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) project

By Carolyn Allen, Editor

I drive by the Imperial Highway project almost daily, and watched this biofiltration system being constructed. Cool! Here are more details about how it filters urban runoff from residential and industrial areas that has been draining into the Santa Monica Bay and the Pacific Ocean. It is one more way to protect the fragile habitat and wildlife ecosystem under stress in the Bay.

Sunken Median Stormwater Diversion

This urban street median stormwater project is located on Imperial Highway between Pershing Drive and Main Street in El Segundo, CA. It is in a highly traveled street that divides LAX Airport and the residential neighborhoods of El Segundo. It also leads directly to Santa Monica Bay and the Pacific Ocean...just down the street.

Los Angeles and El Segundo reduce pollutants to Santa Monica Bay with Biofiltration System.

Biofiltration System of Vegetated Swales and Trench

The stormwater runoff project installed a biofiltration system comprised of vegetated swales and an infiltration trench that will collect runoff from a 7.5-acre area and remove bacteria, oil, trash and suspended solids from stormwater that would otherwise be discharged to Santa Monica Bay. Shrubs and trees were also planted in the project area, and an automated irrigation system that uses recycled water was installed.