If you’ve taken a walk through the Venice Canals lately, you’ve probably seen a lot of trash.
We live in one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in the world, yet sometimes the water looks more like a floating dumpster than a historic landmark. As parents, we want our kids to grow up respecting nature and enjoying these magical walkways, but it’s hard to ignore the trash happening in the water.
So, who is actually responsible for cleaning this up? Why does the trash keep piling up at certain spots? And, most importantly, what can we do to help without losing our minds? Grab a coffee (and a reusable mug), because we’re diving deep into the murky waters of canal maintenance.
The trash clog at Washington Blvd
If you’ve walked by the tide gates near Washington Blvd and the Grand Canal, you’ve likely noticed a collection of debris that looks like it’s been there since the 90s. It’s not just your imagination; there is a real circulation issue happening.
The Venice Canals are a managed system. They aren't just "part of the ocean", they are controlled by tide gates. These gates are supposed to open and close to let fresh seawater in and flush the old stuff out. However, when the gates aren't working perfectly, or when the tide is particularly funky, the water becomes stagnant.
Trash piles up in the water at Washington Blvd
That bright green “moss” you’re seeing isn’t just gross, it’s algae, and it thrives when the water isn’t moving.
When the circulation slows down, the Washington Blvd end becomes a catch all for everything that blows off the street or gets tossed from a car window. Because of the way the water flows (or doesn't flow), the trash gets trapped against the gates. It’s essentially the "drain" of the canals, and right now, the drain is a bit backed up.
Why does it always pile up here?
3 things happening at once:
Slow water flow: tide gates not flushing properly
Street runoff + wind: trash blows in from Washington Blvd
Natural current pattern: everything collects at the “end point”
Who do I call? The responsibility breakdown:
This is where it gets a little "bureaucracy-ish," but knowing who to poke is half the battle.
The City of LA Sanitation and Environment (LASAN) is the big boss when it comes to the "bones" of the canals.
Water quality: They are the ones testing the water to make sure it’s safe (well, safe-ish... don't swim at mother’s beach or anything).
The gates: They manage the actual tide gates and the mechanical systems that keep the water moving.
Big trash: If there’s a shopping cart or a literal refrigerator in the canal (we know you’ve seen it), that’s a City job.
so beautiful when it’s clean
Venice Canals Association (VCA)
The VCA is a non-profit volunteer group made up of neighbors who actually live on or near the canals. Think of them as the "Beautification Committee."
Landscaping: They help keep the public walkways looking pretty.
Volunteer cleanups: They organize those awesome neighborhood cleanup days where people get out in their little boats with nets to scoop up floating plastic.
Advocacy: They are the ones constantly bugging the City to fix the gates and improve the lighting.
TL;DR: If the water isn't moving or the gates are broken, it’s the City’s fault. If the flowers are dead or we need a community cleanup day, the VCA is your go-to.
Who’s who: the orgs saving our water
It takes a village (or at least a few non-profits) to keep Venice running. Here are the players you should know:
Venice Canals Association: The heart and soul of the canal neighborhood. They focus on the immediate area and the people living there.
Venice Canals Foundation: Focus on the long-term restoration and preservation. They want to make sure the canals are still here for our grandkids.
Venice Beach BID: While they mostly focus on the boardwalk and the commercial streets, their cleaning crews often handle the trash on the streets leading to the canals, preventing it from blowing in.
Friends of Ballona: Since the canals eventually connect out toward the lagoon and the wetlands, these folks are crucial for the bigger ecological picture. They protect the birds and the wildlife that call the canals home.
How You Can Help
I know, you’re already busy packing lunches and navigating Schoology. You don't necessarily have time to become a full time environmental activist. But here are three super easy ways to make a difference:
Download the MyLA311 app: The magic wand for city issues. See a massive pile of trash at the tide gate? Take a photo, tag the location, and report it under "Illegal Dumping" or "Waterway Debris." The more reports they get, the higher it goes on their priority list.
super easy to report things using this app!
Join the VCA: Even if you don't live on a canal, you can join! Your membership dues go toward cleanup supplies and neighborhood improvements.
The “one piece” rule: Every time you walk the canals, try to pick up at least one piece of trash that isn't in the water (if it's safe to reach). If every family did this, the "blow-in" trash would disappear.
Fun fact: Venice, Italy vs. Venice, CA
courtesy of plasticsmartcities.org
Did you know that the "other" Venice (the one that comes up if you search venice rising 😂) is dealing with the exact same stuff? Recent research from the Italian Institute for Marine Research (CNR-ISMAR) found that they’ve pulled over 23,500 kg of waste out of their canals since 2019.
The weirdest part? A huge chunk of that waste is old car tires. Apparently, transport boats use them as fenders and then just... let them drop into the water. We don’t really have a tire problem in our canals. But we’ve definitely seen electric scooters end up in the water instead (because of course we have). It’s a good reminder that water maintenance is a universal struggle… the “stuff” just changes depending on the city. We aren't alone in our quest for clean water!
a sunset walk in the canals
It’s Our Backyard
The Venice Canals are more than just a tourist spot; they are our backyard. They are where we take our kids for "nature walks," where we see the herons fishing, and where we go to find a little bit of peace in the middle of a busy city.
The canals are magical. But they’re not self-cleaning. If we want to keep them that way, it’s going to take all of us, and a system that actually works.
Let's keep pushing the City to do their part, support the volunteers who do the heavy lifting, and keep our own streets clean.
If you want to stay updated on when these projects might actually end so you can plan your school run, definitely check out our Venice Rising calendar. We (try to) keep track of the local chaos so you don't have to!
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