Rendering 10.

On November, 9, 2012 the article entitled "New storm water runoff rules could cost cities billions" was published by Bettina Boxall in "Los Angeles Times". In this article the author covers new storm water regulations that were adopted in several states of America. Analyzing this issue, the author takes a criticle view of general situation with Los Angeles runoff system. Bettina Boxall makes it clear that runoff remains the leading cause of water pollution in Southern Califirnia, promoting beach closures and bans on eating fish caught in Santa Monica Bay. It's necessary to point out that the runoff is tainted by a host of contaminants from thousands of different places: from pet waste and auto brake pads to industrial areas.

Speaking about new storm water regulations the reporter notes that authorities of Los Angeles face spending billions of dollars to clean up the dirty urban runoff that washes pollution into drain and coastal waters. Bettina supports the idea of director of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, John Kemmerer that in order to solve this problem it's neccesary to build up a so-called "green infrastructure" which would be more cost-efficient than trying to treat urban runoff at thousands of small sources. So, in this connection municipal officials will pursue a variety of tactics according the new regulations. First of all, the Los Angeles provision seeks to reduce storm water flows to the ocean in ways that would cut down polluted flowing into coastal waters and replenish aquifers, thus boosting local water supplies. Officials also plan to sweep streets better and collaborate on the construction of large infiltration basins that will capture storm water and let it seep into the ground to recharge groundwater. They also plan to use parking lot and landscape designs that would retain a certain amount of runoff on site. Street curbs are planned to be altered to send road runoff to plant beds rather than storm drains.

As for me, I completelly support a "green infrastructure". Los Angeles' renewed storm water regulations should be held up as an example for other cities around the world. I believe that this way to solve environmental problems will bring positive results in future. If world's cities begin to take a part in saving of nature world's environmental situation will be far better. But unfortunatelly today, it remains a big problem.