Los Angeles Unified is not required to comply with stormwater regulations

Despite having more than 3,200 parcels, the Los Angeles Unified School District is exempt from state stormwater regulations. Environmental groups are trying to change that, The Los Angeles Times reported that.

These groups argued that California’s water regulations should also cover LAUSD’s K-12 campuses because it would help reduce pollution in the region while also supporting the water supply.

“Once again, exempting K-12 schools from (permitting) will allow completely inadequate regulation of school stormwater runoff to continue for years to come, and this lack of regulation will not create the necessary pressure to cause school districts like LAUSD to enter into discussions to implement green stormwater projects in a meaningful and effective manner,” the coalition of groups wrote in a letter to the State Water Resources Control Board.

According to the coalition, urban water and storm water are among the biggest sources of pollution. They also noted that schools often have large amounts of asphalt and other surfaces that prevent water from seeping into the ground. Those same surfaces, they say, also contribute to higher temperatures.

(Schools) don’t have to worry about that at all, so there’s no pressure on them to do more to be environmentally conscious,” Bruce Reznik, executive director of Los Angeles Waterkeeper, told the Los Angeles Times.

However, LAUSD Eco-Sustainability Director Christos Chrysiliou told the Times that the district is following California’s stormwater pollution prevention plan. He also said the district has developed internal guidelines that apply to any new facilities or renovations.

“We care about the environment, the students and the staff we serve, so we always strive to not only do what is required but also do what we can for the environment,” Chrysiliou told the Times. “We believe this is an ongoing and future commitment that can be effectively met by the school district.”