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Valleywide : Flood Prevention Project Approved

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The Los Angeles City Council recently approved a project to clean the city’s catch basins to help prevent flooding during the upcoming rainy season.

On a motion by City Councilman Marvin Braude, the council voted Nov. 22 to proceed with the project, which the city recently learned would cost $220,000 less than previously believed.

By clearing debris from catch basins, chances of serious property damage from mudslides during heavy rainfall will be greatly reduced, said Braude, whose district includes hillside areas that are threatened when catch basins are full.

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“This action by the council is good news for people who live in hillside areas, because it means catch basins . . . will be clear during the coming rainy season,” Braude said.

The city Bureau of Sanitation originally estimated that the city would have to spend $250,000 to hire private contractors to clear debris from catch basins. But after taking a closer look, the bureau learned that city workers could do the job for only $29,000.

Catch basins located in streets are square holes covered with grills through which water drains to flood-control channels. Basins situated in canyon areas are wooden walls that slow the flow of water down hills and collect branches, mud and other debris. City crews have already begun cleaning the catch basins, and are expected to finish the job sometime this month.

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