Urban stormwater

SIENA EZEKIEL

DEEP DIVE SUMMARY

December 15, 2015

URBAN STORMWATER Exploring solutions that can exist on school grounds to address the contamination and volume of stormwater in urban areas.

Objectives: . o For students to learn how specific features of their built environment as well as best management practices can mitigate stormwater pollution and ecosystem damage. o To demonstrate examples of tangible solutions that students can implement or create a proposal for. o To provide hands-on ideas for activities that students can do to gain a deeper understanding of stormwater issues in their community.

Briefing Topics:

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Why Stormwater?

Studying stormwater is an important way for students to learn about how they are a part of the water cycle and how their environments and actions impact the health of their local watershed. The many impervious surfaces in cities add high volumes of water to the sewer system during storm events. This stormwater collects pollution from roads, sidewalks and building surfaces and carries it either directly into bodies of water or into combined sewage pipes. Even in the portion of stormwater that is treated in Seattle before reentering Puget Sound, chemicals are not filtered out and thus should be prevented from entering the water system altogether. Additionally, during large storm events the volume of stormwater can overwhelm the sewer system and lead to combined sewage overflows (CSOs) into Puget Sound before being treated. Contaminated stormwater can harm the ecosystems of local watersheds which impacts human health.

1. Health Soils 2. Rain Gardens 3. Green Roofs

4. Water Catchment 5. Depaving 6. Eco-friendly Car Wash Fundraisers

SIENA EZEKIEL

NOVEMBER 28, 2015

DEEP DIVE BRIEF

Urban Stormwater Solutions: Depaving Projects How removing impervious pavement helps reduce stormwater runoff.

Why remove conventional pavement?

Our roads, parking lots and sidewalks are conventionally made out of impervious pavement.

Impervious pavement cannot absorb liquid, such as rain and fluids leaked from cars. Therefore, impervious pavement increases the flow of stormwater and as the stormwater runs over the paved surface it collects contaminants. Common contaminants found on roadways include car exhaust, oils and copper from brake lining. Reducing the amount of impermeable paved areas in your community can help reduce the amount of stormwater runoff as well the level of contamination.

Once an area of impermeable pavement is removed, it can be replaced with topsoil and plants or with permeable pavement options, such as permeable pavers, porous asphalt and open-celled grids, as pictured below1.

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Vestal School Case Study Portland, Oregon Previously, the Vestal schoolyard was completely paved and impervious, without any trees or shade. In 2008, more than 70 volunteers tore up a large portion of blacktop using hand tools such as crowbars and sledgehammers.

The decision to use hand tools is an intentional way to bring community members together through physical work. The newly depaved area was filled in with soil and compost and the asphalt was hauled away for recycling. This area has since become a community garden and outdoor learning area3.

Today, the Vestal Community Garden provides the student body, 82% of which is on free

date Volunteers in partnershipissue, with the non-profit organization Depave cleared 15,000 square feet of blacktop at Vestal K-8 School.

and reduced lunch, with access to fresh produce and hands-on learning experience about growing food4. By securing grants, using volunteer labor and hand tools, Depave is able to use a low-budget approach on its projects. Additionally, the Vestal School depavement project demonstrates that reducing impervious pavement to mitigate stormwater runoff can take the form of a project that builds community and even provides additional green space and fresh food.

Work cited 1,2: http://www.700milliongallons.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Reducing-pavement-and-permeablepaving-options.pdf 3:http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/08/volunteers_depave_portland_sch.html 4: http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2012/10/vestal_schools_garden_in_outer.html

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SIENA EZEKIEL

November 8, 2015

DEEP DIVE BRIEFING

Urban Stormwater Solutions: Healthy Soils, Healthy Streams How improving soil quality in your community can mitigate the polluting impacts of urban stormwater runoff

How can healthy soil help?

Did you know that compacted soil is similar to an impervious surface, such as pavement?2 Compacted soil cannot absorb rainwater properly because it doesn’t have sufficient pore space.

Adding organic matter to soil feeds the soil life such as micro and macro invertebrates. Enhancing soil life improves the soil structure, which creates pore space in the soil so that it can properly absorb water.3

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Healthy soil not only absorbs stormwater but also is able to filter it, thereby reducing pollutants that return to the watershed. Overall, organic matter helps soil store water and slowly release it, thereby slowing down the rate at which stormwater returns to nearby streams and Puget Sound. Organic matter also reduces soil erosion. This means that the water returning to your local watershed is cleaner for the fish and the entire ecosystem.

End Notes 1: http://www.articlesweb.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Importance-of-Garden-Soil-for-Healthy-Plant-03.jpg Retrieved 08 November 2015.

2: http://www.sustainabilityambassadors.org/PreserveAndReserveSoils_Manual_SPREADS.pdf Retrieved 08 November 2015.

3,4: Seattle Tilth Master Composter/Soil Builder booklet. 2013.

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How can you make your soil healthier?

It’s as easy as adding organic matter!

What is organic matter?

Organic matter is decomposed matter from organisms that were once living, such as plants and animals. Organic matter comes in various forms such as compost and different kinds of mulch.

Compost:

Mulch:

Natural Lawn Care:

You can purchase local compost in bulk from a garden or hardware store.

Place your selected type of mulch around the base of trees and perennial plantings in a 3-inch layer.

Avoid using chemical lawn care products.

If interested, you can also make your own compost from leaf litter and other garden waste.

Add 2-3 inches of compost to planting strips and garden beds in the spring.

Types of mulch include: o Leaves o Woodchips o Straw o Cardboard

Water grass minimally in summer.

Allow grass to decompose in place after being mowed. This returns nutrients and organic matter to the source and saves the step of raking! 4

YOUR WORK ADDS UP! Each planting strip or garden area where you are able to enhance the soil you are helping improve the quality of Seattle’s stormwater and reduce harmful impacts on your local watershed.

Get your school, neighbors and community involved! For example you can: • Organize a neighborhood work party • Talk to your school’s principal to makes changes to the methods used for maintaining the school grounds 2

SIENA EZEKIEL

NOVEMBER 22, 2015

DEEP DIVE BRIEFING

Urban Stormwater Solutions: Native Plants in Rain Gardens How adding native plants in your community can reduce stormwater pollution

Why Use Native Plants in a Rain Garden?

Native plants are indigenous to the local ecological region and offer multiple advantages when added to your landscape. Once native plants are established they rarely require irrigation because they are adapted to the local climate and seasonal conditions.

In general, native plants require minimal maintenance and also provide habitat for wildlife.

Additionally, native plants absorb and filter rainwater, thereby reducing the flow of (contaminated) stormwater over impervious surfaces and into drains that lead to Puget Sound.

Examples of plants native to western Washington that you can plant: ! Ferns ! Salal

! Snowberry ! Oregon grape

! Thimbleberry ! Oceanspray

! Common camas ! Various rushes

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Rain Gardens: A strategic native plant garden design and urban stormwater solution

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A rain garden is built within a shallow depression and uses native plants to collect, absorb and filter stormwater.

In these ways a rain garden is designed to imitate a section of a temperate rainforest floor. Rain gardens can be placed so that they collect and filter stormwater from impervious sloped

surfaces and from downspouts. The healthiest and most effective rain gardens are planted in welldraining soil and contain a combination of native grasses, shrubs, berries, herbs

and small trees.

To find out the details of building a rain garden check out the online resources from Seattle Public Utilities’ Rainwise program.

700milliongallons.org

Native plant gardens & rain gardens are installed at several Seattle Public Schools: -BF Day Elementary

-Wedgewood Elementary

-Dunlap Elementary

Work Cited: http://raingardens.us/rain-garden-construction/how-to-design-for-raingadens-dfr/ http://www.sustainabilityambassadors.org/Solution%203%20-%20Raingardens.pdf http://www.700milliongallons.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Raingarden-factsheet-v9-7-22-15.pdf

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SIENA EZEKIEL

DECEMBER 12, 2015

DEEP DIVE BRIEF

Urban Stormwater Solutions: Green Roofs How green roofs can capture stormwater and be educational too 1

What are green roofs?

A green roof is a vegetated roof that, among other functions, absorbs stormwater. There are two main systems.2 2

Tray system: Interlocking trays are filled with a growing medium and planted with sedums (succulents). A drainage layer is installed underneath.

Layer system: The key layers include garden-variety vegetation, a growing medium (such as a lightweight soil mix) and a layer of waterproof membrane to ensure that water does not leak into the building.

Layer System Pictured !

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Case Study: Trillium Charter School

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Portland, Oregon In 2010, Trillium Charter School moved to its new location that included an edible green roof.4 5

Description: Using the layer system, the green roof at Trillium covers 1,066 feet, or 40% of its roof, in vegetation.

Layers: The layers in the system include edible annual vegetables, 8” of soil mix, permeable fabric, pavers, insulation, waterproofing and decking.

Stormwater: The green roof is expected to mitigate 50% of rainfall on the roof, which equates to over 12,000 gallons/year.

Costs: Costs for the construction of the green roof were $10,705.

Educational opportunities: • Growing food • Measuring rainfall & storm water runoff • Water quality tests

Work Cited 1: http://www.seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/OSE/Green-Roofs-In-Seattle.pdf 2, 3 :http://www.sustainabilityambassadors.org/Solution%206%20-%20Green%20Roofs-1.pdf 4, 5: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/article/428423

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SIENA EZEKIEL

NOVEMBER 22, 2015

DEEP DIVE BRIEFING 4

Urban Stormwater Solutions: Capturing & Reusing Stormwater Harvesting stormwater can serve many purposes and helps reduce stormwater runoff

Water catchment The Puget Sound averages about three feet of rain per year, with the majority falling from November to March. In the summer, most areas average less than two inches in total rainfall.

A rain barrel allows you to capture approximately 50 gallons of rainwater and a cistern can catch between 20010,000 gallons, depending on size and needs.1 The wet winter months allow water catchment systems to fill up and excess

water can be directed to a landscaped area to percolate into the soil. In the summer stored water can be used for irrigation and throughout the year harvested rainwater can be used for many purposes, including indoor plumbing.2 Harvesting rainwater helps reduce stormwater runoff as well as summer peak demand on our water sources.3

Footprint = width x height of building’s roof 1

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Bertchi School case study A private elementary school’s forward-thinking ways of capturing and reusing rainwater in Seattle In 2011 the Bertschi School completed its Living Science wing project. This project includes on-site water supply, treatment and reuse for all of the building’s water uses.

Rainwater is collected on three roofs on the

school grounds and stored in a 2,500 gallon cistern. The water in this initial cistern is made potable through UV treatment. There is also a 2,750 gallon cistern for irrigation purposes. While

legally the captured rainwater cannot be used as drinking water, it is used to flush toilets, maintain the landscape and all excess water flows into the rain garden.4

Berschi School Living Science wing design Work Cited: 1, 3: http://www.sustainabilityambassadors.org/Solution%205%20-%20Rain%20Harvesting%20Cisterns.pdf 2: http://www.seattle.gov/util/EnvironmentConservation/MyLawnGarden/Rain_Water_Harvesting/index.htm 4: http://www.ecobuilding.org/code-innovations/case-studies/rainwater-harvesting-for-potable-use-at-the-bertschi-school

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SIENA EZEKIEL

NOVEMBER 15, 2015

DEEP DIVE BRIEFING

Urban Stormwater Solutions: Eco-Friendly Car Washes How you can hold eco-friendly car wash fundraisers for your school, club or organization.

What harm can car washing cause?

After giving your car a scrub, the final rinse not only removes dirt, but also washes off car oil, heavy metals, automotive fluids and soap. When cars are washed on a paved surface such as a parking lot, street or driveway the runoff from a car wash travels into the storm drains. The stormwater pipes direct the runoff to nearby bodies of water, such as streams and lakes, which in our

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region ultimately feed into Puget Sound2. The chemicals and contaminants in car wash runoff harm the aquatic plant and wildlife in our watershed, such as salmon and the insects they feed on. Specifically, soap contains chemicals called surfactants, which bind to the dirt to remove it. However, these same surfactants when introduced to an aquatic ecosystem coat fish gills, which prevent them from absorbing oxygen.

Work Cited 1: http://knowhow.napaonline.com/spring-cleaning-how-to-wash-your-car/ Retrieved 15 November 2015 2:http://www.seattle.gov/util/EnvironmentConservation/MyHome/PreventPollution/CarWashing/index.htmhttp://www.s eattle.gov/util/EnvironmentConservation/MyHome/PreventPollution/CarWashing/index.htm Retrieved 15 November 2015

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Eco-friendly car wash options that help keep our waters clean Option 2:

Car Wash Fundraisers Option 1: Brown Bear Car Wash and Puget Sound Car Wash Association have “charity car wash” programs that allow non-profits to purchase car wash tickets at a discount and sell them at profit3. This is a remake of the traditional car wash fundraiser model so that schools, clubs and other groups can raise funds while ensuring that patrons use environmentally friendly car washes.

The car washes that participate in the charity programs intentionally help protect the health of our waters. They use environmentally friendly cleaning products and also filter the dirt and contaminants that wash off of each car. The remaining water is then sent into the sewer system instead of the stormwater pipes so that it is further treated at a wastewater treatment facility4.

If you want have a handson car washing fundraiser you can hold it at one of two approved Seattle Public Utilities locations: •

Les Schwab, 6111 – 4th Avenue S, 98108, (206) 768-9422

•

Bernie's Automotive, 4420 Leary Way NW, 98107, (206) 391-6546

These locations will treat the water that runs off of the cars your group washes5.

6 3, 5: ttp://www.seattle.gov/util/EnvironmentConservation/MyHome/PreventPollution/CarWashing/index.htm Retrieved 15 November 2015.

4: http://www.brownbear.com/why-brown-bear/wash-green/ Retrieved 15 November 2015.

6: http://www.fundraiserhelp.com/car-wash-fundraiser.htm Retrieved 15 November 2015.

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SIENA EZEKIEL

December 15, 2015

ACTIVITIES

Stormwater Solutions on your School Grounds Now that you’ve learned about several existing stormwater solutions and best management practices, the following suggested activities will help you identify stormwater concerns on your school grounds and work towards implementing solutions.

Suggested Activities: 1. Exploration Through Mapping: School ground stormwater observations Gather a group of interested students. Print out a Google Earth map image of your school grounds for each person. Develop a map legend that identifies storm drains, pervious surfaces, impervious surfaces, vegetation, slopes, curb-cuts, downspouts, existing green stormwater infrastructure and anything else you think is pertinent. Walk around the school grounds, observing the built environment and marking features on the map. Highlight problem areas.

2. Gallery Walk: Identifying stormwater concerns & solutions Display each student’s stormwater map of your school grounds for all participants to observe.

As you walk around the “gallery”, note the stormwater infrastructure assets and problem areas that exist on school grounds. Using background knowledge of urban stormwater solutions, plus any additional research deemed necessary, individually record potential solutions to problem areas. Each student can complete a chart that identifies potential solutions, the location of it, the problems it solves, the effectiveness of the solution and any constraints (cost, time, materials) to keep in mind. Compile the proposed solutions in one chart.

3. Making A Plan: proposing solutions for implementation As a group, identify two or three of the most effective solutions to solving stormwater problems on your school grounds. Consider selecting a variety of options that have different constraints.

Identify whom to propose the solutions to at your school. Then, present them with a legible map of the stormwater issues on your school grounds and the proposed solutions (as well as background information about each solution). In order to be granted approval to implement at least one solution, it can help to gather student, teacher and community support!