L.A. Bureau of Sanitation at the Forefront of Water Sustainability

Enrique Zaldivar, Director of the Bureau of Sanitation, explains the city's efforts to maintain public health and promote water conservation. As urban areas guard natural resources and urban environments, L.A. presents some successful first steps.

1 minute read

August 12, 2012, 5:00 AM PDT

By Kevin Madden


Enrique Zaldivar, Director of the Los Angeles City Bureau of Sanitation, had a conversation this month with The Planning Report on the status of the Bureau's efforts to improve the quality of life and water across the City of Los Angeles. Leading a staff of 2800, Zaldivar's Bureau has managed to significantly reduce the number of spills occuring each year in L.A. and is taking bold steps in updating the hidden infrastructure for the 21st century.

A sanitation department plays one of the most important roles in maintaining a functioning and healthy city. As Americans deal with less reliable water sources, the L.A. Bureau of Sanitation demonstrates where efficiencies can be found and where the potential for reuse lies. Sanitation's part in cleaning up Los Angeles' notorious Skid Row also demonstrates the immediate and dramatic impact local government may have on the urban environment.

Thanks to Kevin Madden

Wednesday, August 1, 2012 in The Planning Report

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

Mamdani behind a microphone, in front of a snowbank

Mamdani’s pied-à-terre tax survives legal challenge

A panel of judges found that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate injury as a result of New York City's implementation of the tax.

November 6 - CNN

A road in north eastern Nebraska with power lines on either side, and grassy fields.

Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity

Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.

November 6 - Grist

People board a bus in Seattle.

Seattle passes record-breaking transit services expansion

Proposition 1 will double the city’s transit tax to add 95,000 more bus trips and preserve 180,000 bus trips annually.

November 6 - KOMO News

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.