Reducing stormwater runoff at everyone carries an umbrela university (ECU)
Grant
Overview
abstract
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Greens Mill Run (GMR) is an impaired stream that drains a highly urbanized watershed in Greenville, North Carolina. Developers of the GMR watershed restoration plan identified and ranked 19 stormwater management projects and suggested these project be implemented to better control runoff and improve water quality. One of the higher ranking projects (#3) was the conversion of a dry dentition basin to a wet detention basin on ECU?s campus. The drainage area for the basin is 39 acres with approximately 30% impervious surface. Implementation of the basin is projected to reduce the annual export of TN, TP, and TSS by 25, 40, and 85%, respectively. The project will have high visibility during sporting events based on its location between the baseball field and football field where attendees park and tailgate. The project is close to other stormwater control measures in the watershed including a stormwater wetland and rain garden near the Belk Building, two rainwater harvesting systems at the University Grounds Office, and permeable pavement and bioretention near the parking area north of the football stadium. Several Environmental Health classes including ?Introduction to Environmental Health?, ?Safe Water?, ?Technical Advances in Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment?, and ?Wastewater Management? are taught in the Belk Building, and thus are close enough to the project area that students can visit the project during class/lab. The project is on University property, and ECU will maintain the project. Most of the drainage area for the basin is residential development, and outreach efforts including site visits and implementation of rain harvesting systems (10) are planned for the residential neighborhood. Overall, this project will result in a reduction in the stormwater transport of TN, TP, and TSS to GMR and thus improve water quality. The project will provide excellent educational and outreach opportunities for students at ECU, campus visitors, and local citizens. Information from the project will be presented at state and national conferences, and will form the basis of a graduate project.
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