University of California, Irvine
OP-23: Rainwater Management

Low Impact Development (LID) has become an accepted standard practice on campus. LID principles have been employed in the past with the most recent development of student housing, Verano 7 Apartments, utilizing a variety of practices including bioretention basins, bio-swales, permeable paving, and sand filter beds to capture and treat runoff. The UCI Water Action Plan identifies LID as a standard practice for both new construction projects and stormwater treatment associated with ongoing operations. In keeping with the campus' role as a living laboratory for sustainability, UCI environmental engineering students are engaged in the planning and design of a vegetated swale as a demonstration and research project for low-energy intensive stormwater treatment on three site locations within the campus core.

UC Irvine's ongoing operations are managed under the 2003 Storm Water Master Plan (SWMP). The plan provides best management practices (BMPs) for reducing discharge of contaminants into the storm drain system. The SWMP (1) identifies pollutant sources potentially affecting the quality and quantity of stormwater discharges; (2) provides Best Management Practices (BMPs) for municipal and small construction activities implemented by UC Irvine staff and contractors and; (3) provides measurable goals for the implementation of this SWMP to reduce the discharge of the identified pollutants into the storm drain system and associated water ways. In addition to the link shown below, see http://www.ehs.uci.edu/programs/enviro/stormwater/Stormwater_Guide.pdf and http://www.ehs.uci.edu/programs/enviro/cleanwaterprog.html The Implementation Procedures for Erosion Control and Landscape Management also outlines procedures for ongoing site erosion control and major rainfall events. The 2017 UCI Water Action Plan identifies goals and strategies for stormwater management on campus including the adoption of LID as standard practice, onsite retention, vegetated swales, rain cisterns and permeable paving, building from and supporting the management policies and strategies identified in the SWMP.

The UCI Water Action Plan, Long Range Development Plan, Storm Water Management Plan, and Implementation Strategies for Erosion Control and Landscape Management documents provide goals and strategies for the long term management of rainwater. Low Impact Development techniques have been adopted for new construction projects as well as the on-going operations of campus.