The “first flush” and the upcoming rainy season is a crucial
time for LA Waterkeeper to identify and assess some of
the major sources of storm water pollution that plague our
waterways, including the LA River. As part of our Water
Quality Monitoring program, the Storm Water Assessment
Team (SWAT) is a group of trained volunteers that conduct
investigative storm water sampling when it rains at industrial facilities suspected of violating federal and state clean
water laws. The storm water samples are then tested at
state certified labs for heavy metals including iron, aluminum, copper, lead, zinc, and mercury, and trash and fecal
bacteria. The data we collect from this year’s rain will
be used to influence statewide and regional water quality
re wV