Public schools: a lost opportunity for stormwater capture

OPINION – Temperatures typically hover in the 90-degree range into September in parts of LA County and many other parts of the state. Warm fall temperatures might be pleasant if you work in an air-conditioned office and can enjoy early morning walks with your dog. But if you’re a student in the Los Angeles Unified School District, chances are those hot days are harming your ability to learn.

School districts should rapidly ramp up investments in greening schoolyards. Many schoolyards are dominated by asphalt, particularly in the most impacted and underserved neighborhoods. Some LAUSD schoolyard temperatures have hit 145 degrees during heat waves in recent years, presenting significant health and safety issues.

According to a recently released report by global water think tank the Pacific Institute, schools offer perhaps the greatest opportunity in LA County and beyond to increase access to parks while providing a whole host of other benefits in underserved communities. Green schoolyards help to mitigate extreme heat and reduce pollution while expanding students’ access to the benefits of play and hands-on learning. More natural school campuses can also provide public recreational opportunities and cooling spaces during non-school hours.

Urban and stormwater runoff is the largest source of water pollution in the LA region, and impervious surfaces are one of the greatest contributors to pollution caused by stormwater runoff. Hardscape increases flood risk, prevents groundwater recharge, and contributes to myriad community and ecological impacts.

Los Angeles Unified School District is the largest landowner in the region, owning 3,200 parcels of land covering more than 6,400 acres. The outdoor areas of these and other schools in the county are predominantly hardscape. The Pacific Institute report indicates more than 3 billion gallons of stormwater runoff is generated on LA County school campuses each year, and nearly two-thirds of which could be captured for reuse. Improving stormwater management on these campuses could keep more than 1,200 tons of pollutants out of local waterways and the ocean annually.

Unfortunately, California is about to lose one of its strongest opportunities to rapidly transform schoolyards from asphalt-covered expanses to areas resplendent with shade and native plants. The State Water Resources Control Board is currently updating its municipal stormwater permit structure (also known as an MS4 permit). Despite strong advocacy from land use, water, and conservation organizations, the Water Board plans to continue exempting K-12 schools from complying.

A well-crafted MS4 Phase II permit would incentivize school districts to pursue multi-benefit, nature-based stormwater solutions. Such a permit could reduce the technical burden facing school districts by encouraging partnerships with local municipalities that have the technical expertise to develop appropriate projects.

Abundant sources of public funding are currently available to pay for these types of projects, such as LA County’s Safe Clean Water Program, with even more potential funding in this November’s climate bond. But without the pressure to comply with this permit, schools won’t have the incentive to pursue such funding. If the Newsom administration sticks with its plan to continue exempting schools from this permit, the Legislature should step in. We simply cannot wait another decade before there is meaningful greening of our schoolyards.

It’s a shame to see the State shying away from robust regulation that could inspire much-needed change. This outcome is particularly disappointing because the Water Board signaled for more than a decade that schools would be included in this permit during the current round of updates.

The Water Board’s 60-day public comment period on the draft permit is now open. Members of the public who would like to see schools included in the regulation are encouraged to submit public comment.

Excuses that complying with stormwater regulations would be too burdensome for schools simply don’t hold water. California can and must do better for our school kids, our communities and our water quality.

Bruce Reznik is executive director of Los Angeles Waterkeeper.