Stormwater in L.A. and Orange Counties is captured via spreading grounds, or large open areas of gravel and sand that allow pools of water to form and percolate deep into underground reservoirs. Since we’ve largely run out of room for spreading grounds, other solutions are being explored. Slow it down: Before we paved over our cities, water used to percolate through soil across the region. Water agencies use dams to capture and slowly release water over time to utilize spreading grounds even during hot months. Use our yards: The majority of L.A. is private property, meaning there’s a big opportunity for owners to implement water features like swales, which can capture water and allow it to sink into the soil, rather than run out into the street.