How a LEED Platinum Building is Cleaning up Inland Empire Urban Runoff

In 2002, the Inland Empire Utility Agency (IEUA) – a municipal water agency in western San Bernardino County – designed and constructed its new Headquarters with the goal of attaining the first 2.0 platinum level “LEED” – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – rating established by the U. S. Green Building Council.”IEUA has implemented a BMP project that truly showcases the beauty of “going back to the basics” in their creative stormwater management program. By integrating site design, source control, and treatment BMP's into the headquarters facility, pollutants in the project have resulted in runoff reduction and treatment, and removal of stormwater runoff, particularly 85% to 99% of the total coliform that would traditionally contribute to the pathogen contaminants loading in Chino Creek which is currently listed on the 303d list for pathogens.Chino Creek is an important tributary to the Prado wetlands, located only a few miles away. From Prado wetlands, the water either infiltrates or discharges into the Santa Ana River, which continues down to the Pacific Ocean. This project illustrates how and why it is critical to encourage stormwater treatment BMPs, including wetlands and riparian habitat, further up in the watersheds, and that these projects have direct impacts in protecting coastal resources.