Impact

SWPPP Internship Program is building a generation of passionate environmental leaders. Interns study stormwater runoff in their school parking lot and on campus: collecting and testing samples, analyzing results and building sustainable solutions to reduce runoff pollution.
  • Over 1,200 student interns influencing the behaviors of over 14,000 classmates and 900 teachers and staff.
  • Interns present their findings at venues ranging from City Councils to the California State Water Board in Sacramento. 
  • Showcased on NBC7, ABC10 and in print in the San Diego Union Tribune, Encinitas Advocate, and Del Mar Times.
  • Interns in Encinitas received $720,000 DROPs grant from California State Water Board to build water quality projects on campus
  • Read more about the interns' recent accomplishments

Reducing oil, grease and brake dust entering parking lot storm drains on campus

SWPPP interns promote programs created in partnership with local auto repair shops and car washes to help reduce used oil entering their storm drains in their community. 

Building Awareness in the School Communities

Interns get their message out to their peers through hundreds of completed educational best management practices such as posters, murals, assemblies and lunch activities. 

Reaching the Parent Community

The student interns are enthusiastic to bring their messages to the parent community using campaigns at school drop-off and pick-up, bring home flyers, and presentations to the PTA, School Board, and at other on campus parent meetings such as Back-to-School Night. 

Connecting with Local Government and Special Districts

Interns present at City Council Meetings, Water Districts' Board Meetings and County-wide Environmental Initiative Meetings as effective communicators of a shared goal: keeping pollutants out of our storm water.   

State-wide Outreach and Beyond

In 2018, SWPPP Interns presented to the California State Water Resources Control Board and Executive Team in Sacramento following up on the completion of 6 water quality projects completed with their $720,000 grant. Projects included permeable pavement in the parking lot, curb cuts and bioswales. Interns also resented to the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board and annually at multiple professional industry conferences.