Six LAUSD campuses have been selected by the California Water Resources Controls Board to receive $6 million to develop low-impact features through the state’s Drought Response Outreach Program for Schools (DROPS) and Proposition 84 grant programs.
These programs aim to create features that serve to capture, treat, and infiltrate storm water into groundwater basins to mimic a natural watershed. These features include bioswales, permeable pavement, infiltration galleries, rain-gardens, and cisterns.
The six selected campuses are Belvedere, Normandie and Victory Elementary schools; and Markham, Northridge and Webster Middle schools.
The District’s Architectural and Engineering group and Sustainability Initiatives Unit had initially identified these schools as being in critical need of site improvement and took advantage of DROPS program to develop comprehensive projects that address the deteriorated paving conditions while incorporating features crucial for capturing and infiltrating storm water.  This also serves to recharge our local aquifers.
The DROPS grant also requires development and implementation of a robust education and outreach component at each school, so while the LID features will vary by campus, each project includes benefits extending to the classroom and beyond.  Through partnership with the Council for Watershed Health, TreePeople and Los Angeles Audubon Society, the LID features will serve as outdoor, experiential classrooms and learning laboratories that can be incorporated into the curriculum and activities at school.  Students will be engaged during design and construction, and will create signage and collaborate on aspects such as plant selection.  Additional DROPS program components include field trips, student leadership training, professional development, teacher trainings, and formation of eco-clubs.
“We are excited to be working with the State Water Resources Control Board to implement these crucial projects.  We are looking forward to partnering with the Council for Watershed Health and community-based organizations to engage students and raise awareness in the community about the importance of storm water management and stewardship of our local aquifers,” said Christos Chrysiliou, Director of the Architectural and Engineering Services unit of the Facilities Services Division. District.
The District’s DROPS program also includes staff training for Maintenance & Operations employees responsible for managing the LID features and maintaining the native landscaping.  The DROPS LID program will serve as a model for other schools and districts seeking to use water resource management as a tool for education and advocacy.

Imagine not being able to take a shower.
Or do laundry.
Or flush the toilet.
Imagine a day without water.
With California now in its fourth year of a severe drought, Los Angeles Unified and city officials have joined together on educational initiatives encouraging water conservation and efficiency. The need to safeguard our natural resources was underscored Thursday during a press conference for “Imagine a Day Without Water,” a nationwide campaign to promote conservation efforts.
“We, as a city, are continuing to take action against wasting this precious resource during this historic drought,” Mayor Eric Garcetti said. “By educating our future water leaders of tomorrow, we are ensuring that each and every Angeleno is fully equipped with the necessary tools and information on how we can take advantage of El Niño and capture every drop.”
Garcetti also expressed his gratitude for the partnership with LAUSD in developing the “One Water LA” educational initiative and the “Save the Drop” outreach campaign.
One Water LA is a water sustainability curriculum that will be implemented this year in 14 middle and high schools. The Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are funding the initiative.
The District’s participation in Save the Drop campaign has been led by the Sustainability Initiatives Unit. The program includes a contest aimed to conserve water and promote creative and innovative thinking about conservation and water resilience solutions.
“It is essential that we teach our students how to reduce water use at schools and at home,” said school board President Steve Zimmer. “Both programs will not only educate, but also build knowledge and skills to motivate and encourage a sense of responsibility to conserve natural resources and develop solutions for a sustainable future.”
Zimmer shared his vision of having LAUSD be the leader in environmental sustainable design and practices, with students transferring the knowledge to our communities and future generations.
The press conference was held at Helen Bernstein High, where students talked about their efforts to conserve water.
Sevak Malkhasyan said his family has installed low-flush toilets and high-efficiency washing machines, and he’s taking shorter showers. At school, athletic fields are going brown as irrigation has been reduced.
“Los Angeles, the message is very clear,” said Mariane Bangui, the student body president. “We cannot go a day without water.”

Written by Barbara Jones