December 2016 
News From The Interns
"I am learning that rainwater runs down any slopes and brings trash with it going into drains and polluting the ocean. I am surprised how much trash is carried into the ocean after it rains."
- Robbie M., 5th grade SWPPP intern at Paul Ecke-Central Elementary
"We are learning how to collect water from the drain after it rains. We are also trying to come up with a way to limit littering. We can create drain caps that only let in water to prevent trash going into our drain."
- Julia K., 6th grade SWPPP intern at Flora Vista Elementary
"SWPPP is an amazing program! We are learning steps we can take to keep pollution from entering the ocean. Do not dump ANYTHING down the storm drains." 
- Naia R., 6th grade SWPPP intern at Ocean Knoll Elementary
Interns in Action
This is the fabulous lunch drain group from Park Dale Lane. The interns are making monthly observations of the drainage area while patiently awaiting rain. When a rain event occurs (rain for at least 45 minutes and no previous rain in the past 24 hours), these interns will spring into action using their training to properly collect and label their sample for analysis. 
SWPPP interns from Capri Elementary make a monthly visual observation of their parking lot drain, noting:
- the condition of the drain and drainage area
- evidence of pollution
- activity in drainage area
- materials stored near the drain
"Today we cleaned out the drain outside the SWPPP classroom. There was ten pounds of dirt in the drain! Also we found many random objects such as spoons, keys, toys, straws, many leaves, and other things. We had get shovels from the school garden and dig for 45 minutes to get it clean!"
- Alex V., 5th grade SWPPP intern at La Costa Heights
DROPS Grant Update
Under the careful watch of our SWPPP interns, our DROPS grant-funded engineering projects have begun at three EUSD schools. These projects each take action on Best Management Practices designed by our SWPPP interns from prior years.Over the next two years, the SWPPP interns will be involved with every phase of the projects: from the preparation of bid documents to the selection of a construction contractor.
EL CAMINO CREEK
The DROPS grant-funded project at ECC will divert and collect rainwater in barrels for irrigating new Low Impact Design landscaping. SWPPP interns at the elementary school are supervising the implementation of the project which began with a topographical survey of the quad area. Interns are now researching and identifying appropriate landscaping materials for the project.
"In the DROPS meeting last month with Mr. Dean we learned what surveyors do, and how important their job is. We also got to see the equipment they use to do their job. "
- Lauren G., 5th grade SWPPP  intern at El Camino Creek Elementary
LA COSTA HEIGHTS
SWPPP interns at LCH supervised engineers from Webb Cleff Architecture and Engineering as they surveyed the school parking lot for a bioswale. Interns reviewed the topographical maps and noticed a discrepancy: the addition of new solar panel structures. This required SWPPPers to consider how rainwater can be diverted around the posts to minimize long-term damage.
"Today we reviewed the preliminary plan. We might change the project because of the new solar panels. The plants might not get enough sun and we need to design around the pillars holding up the solar panels. We went to the parking lot and looked at the flow of the water. We got a list of possible plants to put in the bioswale."
- Anna V., 5th grade SWPPP intern at La Costa Heights Elementary
FLORA VISTA
SWPPP interns from Flora Vista met with engineers to discuss the upcoming Best Management Project being planned for their campus parking lot. The DROPS-grant funded project will direct parking lot runoff through new curb cuts and a filter strip that will remove pollutants. The students had LOTS of ideas about the types of plants and materials best suited for filtering the runoff. 
" Today at our DROPS meeting we discussed the important functions of the bioswale. Mr. Dean wore a very interesting tie (umbrellas) and told us a very important fact (water runs down hill) ... and explained the importance of the topographic map. We talked about what plants would need to have to be good for the project. In all, it was amazing! " 
- Téa W., 6th grade SWPPP intern at Flora Vista Elementary
New SWPPP Schools
LINCOLN MIDDLE SCHOOL
Welcome Oceanside's Lincoln Middle School! These 38 new student interns launched a zero waste + stormwater pollution prevention program on their campus (ZWPPP). The program will run as part of the curriculum for an elective class in Environmental Biology at Lincoln. We can't wait to see what these ZWPPPers design and build to keep their campus clean and prevent downstream pollution.
SAN DIEGUITO HIGH SCHOOL  ACADEMY 
In November, San Dieguito High School Academy joined the growing list of schools offering the SWPPP Internship Program. Twenty-six high schooler interns have already met twice to discuss their plans to study stormwater pollution prevention on their campus. These career-minded teens bring a new level of enthusiasm and passion for improving the environment. Welcome SDA!
Fall Field Trips
TOUR OF ENCINITAS
 Downtown bioswales, Cottonwood Creek retention basin, Moonlight Beach outfall
Eighty (yes, 80!) 5th and 6th grade student interns from El Camino Creek, Flora Vista and Ocean Knoll met with representatives from the City of Encinitas for a walking tour of a few of the impressive stormwater pollution prevention mechanisms beautifully incorporated into parks and parking lots around town. Interns then walked to Moonlight Beach to see where Cottonwood Creek empties into the ocean. The interns were stunned to learn the water in Cottonwood Creek Park isn't snowmelt but "urban drool" from private residences and businesses in our watershed. They saw how the water is routed through bioswales and retention basins to both reduce pollutants flowing into our ocean and mitigate flooding during big rains.
" I think it was fun and nice of them to tell us how the pollution started in the basin area of Cottonwood Creek Park. I also liked how they showed the trail of where the pollutants go from the park to the beach."
- Angelica P., 5th grade SWPPP intern at Flora Vista Elementary
MOUTH OF BATIQUITOS LAGOON & ENCINA WASTEWATER AUTHORITY
Sixty SWPPPers from Park Dale Lane, Paul Ecke-Central and Capri Elementary boarded a bus for Ponto Beach at the mouth of Batiquitos Lagoon where they learned about the flow of water from the watershed to the ocean and how the water moves in and out of the lagoon with the tides. Interns took water samples for analysis and labeled them properly to maintain chain of custody.

The interns then took the bus to Encina Wastewater Authority where they were given VIP treatment. The tour began with an orientation presentation, then a demonstration of sample processing in the lab where their samples will be tested, and finally a tour of the wastewater treatment facility.
" On the field trip I learned about water pollution and where the water we use goes after we use it. Something that surprised me is that it took so many steps and machines just to clean some water.
- Lucía., 5th grade SWPPP intern at Paul Ecke-Central Elementary
ELFIN FOREST RECREATIONAL RESERVE & MCCOLLOM WATER TREATMENT
Our last field trip this fall brought sixty 5th and 6th grade SWPPP interns from Mission Estancia and Olivenhain Pioneer and La Costa Heights Elementary to Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve. Interns toured the creek area and learned about "urban drool" and biofiltration as well as 100-year floods and red flag alerts. Interns peered under a microscope to examine what lives in the creek water.

At the McCollom Water Treatment Plant officials demonstrated how water from the Colorado River is carefully routed and treated and safely delivered out of our faucets at home.
" Something that I learned and thought was very interesting was the membranes because it is cool how they pump water through holes that are microscopic. I had a blast a the water district."
- Alexandre F., 6th grade SWPPP intern at Mission Estancia Elementary
Recognition
AWARDS
SWPPPers receive CASQA award at EUSD Board Meeting
What an honor! The California Stormwater Quality Association joined the EUSD School Board meeting in November to formally honor the SWPPP Internship Program with a prestigious award for providing science education and meaningful job skills for EUSD students. Several SWPPP interns were on hand to accept the award and share a few words about the program.

The Awards Chair, Jeff Endicott, spoke of meeting SWPPP interns at the annual CASQA conference in San Diego and reported that their presentations were equivalent to a "World Series, 7th game, 9th inning, grand slam, out of the park, home run"! Well done, SWPPPers!
PRESS
Thank You To Our Partners
Dudek logo
LWD logo
City of Encinitas
Encina Wastewater Authority logo