Stormwater Capture: Turning Runoff into Reliability

In drought-prone Southern California, every drop of water counts. At BWP, we’ve completed a groundbreaking stormwater capture and reuse project that transforms stormwater runoff into a reliable local water resource, supporting our community, our environment, and our on-site Magnolia Power Plant (MPP).

How the Stormwater Capture Project Works

Stormwater from the BWP EcoCampus originally flowed directly into the Burbank Western Channel and then out to the ocean. Today, a newly built 277,000-gallon underground storage and infiltration system captures, stores, treats, and reuses this water, saving more than 8 million gallons annually. The treated stormwater supplements the recycled water supply needed for the MPP cooling towers, reducing reliance on other water sources. During plant downtime, the same water is infiltrated into the ground, helping replenish local groundwater.

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Planning, Partnerships & Project Timeline

The Stormwater Capture Project started in November 2018 and was completed in November 2024. BWP and the Magnolia Power Project consortium committed $9.1 million from their capital budgets to deliver this project, demonstrating proactive leadership, continued investment in reliable, modern infrastructure, and fulfilling regulatory requirements from the Regional Water Quality Control Board.

Building this system required extensive planning and collaboration:

Feasibility study, design, permitting, and construction.
Coordination with seven agencies.
Consultation with California Native American tribes. Tribes traditionally and culturally affiliated with the area provided input and oversaw construction monitoring.
Rigorous environmental review with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The CEQA process took about two years, including public notice in the local newspaper and a City Council meeting for formal adoption. You can learn more by reading the Resolution, Notice of Intent, and Final Initial Study & Mitigated Negative Declaration for the project.

How the Stormwater Capture Project Benefits Burbank

Strengthens Magnolia Power Plant’s Reliability. By providing an alternative water source for MPP’s cooling towers, the power plant has an additional source of water available to use when needed.
Conserves Water. This project helps save more than 8 million gallons of water annually.
Supports Groundwater Recharge. When water is not being used by MPP, it can be infiltrated into the ground, supporting local groundwater recharge.
Improves local flood control. The off-site improvements improved the hydraulic performance of the storm drain system, reducing flooding on Magnolia Blvd. during heavy rain events.

Award-Winning Innovation

The Stormwater Capture Project has been recognized at the highest levels for excellence in water stewardship and engineering, including:

2025 Water Award from POWER.
2025 Outstanding Stormwater Best Management Practice Implementation Project, Industrial Award, from the California Stormwater Quality Association.
Best Project of the Year Award for 2025 from the American Public Power Association.

The Stormwater Capture Project demonstrates how smart planning, sustainable engineering, and regional collaboration can deliver meaningful environmental and community impact that will benefit Burbank for many decades to come.