Costa Mesa Active in Reducing Flooding, Improving Water Quality

Work underway on major underground catch basin to reduce flooding, improve water quality

 

The City of Costa Mesa is digging a big hole for itself in Lions Park.
It’s part of a $4.7 million project that will reduce flooding on the Westside during rain storms and improve water quality at local beaches.
The current storm drain system, constructed decades ago, is significantly undersized to meet the volume of surface water produced during heavy rains. The drainage project—which includes a large underground catch basin between the Downtown Community Center and the Costa Mesa Historical Society—will increase the capacity of the entire storm drain system by 20% and will substantially reduce flooding in the area.
A parallel storm drain system is also being built on Anaheim Avenue between Plumer Street and 18th Street.
In addition, the new drainage system will eliminate accumulated surface pollutants that are washed into the storm drains and flow unfiltered to the Pacific Ocean.

The project is being funded by a $2.8-million grant from the Orange County Transportation Authority. The city is matching the grant funds with drainage fees and in-kind services performed by the Engineering Division staff. Construction is expected to be completed by November.