Atmospheric River Tests Trash Interceptor's Waste Capture Capabilities

VENICE, CA — The dramatic rainfall hitting California at the start of 2023 provided the perfect test for the brand-new trash interceptor deployed at the mouth of Ballona Creek in October of 2022.

County officials said previous technical difficulties with the interceptor's solar panels, which caused it to lose power around Dec. 28, have been rectified. A Public Works spokesperson told the LA Times that workers ran a gas generator to charge the solar batteries in preparation for the storm to prevent another issue.

"While the Interceptor has experienced technical difficulties related to the solar charging system that powers the device, the Interceptor 007 pilot project has continued to be an effective tool in helping protect the public, local beaches and the ocean from the harmful effects of stormwater pollution," the County's website for the interceptor said.

To date, the interceptor has prevented more than 36 tons of trash and debris from entering the Santa Monica Bay and reaching local beaches according to project updates. A variety of waste has been collected by the interceptor since its launch from plastic bottles to a couch.

Trash from around the county, including the streets of Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, parts of L.A. and Culver City all feed into a storm drain network that eventually leads out through Ballona Creek according to the Times.

At the Oct. 22 launch, county officials said the storm season is the perfect time to test if the interceptor can handle the large volume of trash that flows through the creek. The National Weather Service said just yesterday that areas of the coast of L.A. saw almost two inches of rain with more rainfall predicted as the storm continues.

SEE ALSO: Nation's First Trash Interceptor Launches In Marina Del Rey

"If you want to see this in action residents come out when it's raining," Director of Public Works Mark Pestrella said at the October launch. "That's what we want you to see, that's when we're going to really see it."

The Interceptor is a fully-automated, solar-powered trash collection device deployed to combat pollution at Ballona Creek. The floating barge dumpster is 70 feet long and 20 feet tall and is part of a pilot project that includes the construction of six moorings on the north and south jetties of the channel, the installation of a river monitoring system to characterize types of trash and educational signage.

Inside the interceptor are a catamaran and an automated trash rack with a conveyor belt system. The Ocean Cleanup provided the interceptor at no cost and will also provide monitoring equipment to characterize the system's success.

The cost of designing and permitting the pilot project is approximately $1.3 million and construction of moorings to secure the Interceptor and booms in place is estimated to cost $1.5 million. Annual maintenance is estimated to cost $650,000 annually according to project officials.

Pestrella said the pilot aims to see how effective the interceptor will be and if it is something they want to continue doing. According to Pestrella, data will be shared with the community as it is collected.