New L.B. system to stop trash flow to ocean

LONG BEACH, Calif. Ground was broken on the vortex system on Tuesday, which will be part of Pump Station 11. The system is designed to stop tons of debris that collects in the Los Angeles River and makes its way to the city of Long Beach and other beaches.

According to the Press-Telegram, the storm water enters a cylindrical chamber, spins through a perforated screen that traps and draws trash, then the material is vacuumed out during scheduled maintenance cleaning, while the filtered water continues to the river.

The project is funded in part by federal stimulus money.