Sewer District unveils stormwater management demo project at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Posted April 17, 2009
Cistern, raingardens will now capture flow formerly discharged to pavement and sewers
Cleveland | April 17, 2009 - Linda Mayer-Mack, Environmental Education Specialist at the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD), was interviewed by WOIO's Deborah Pando on Monday, April 13, 2009 to talk about a new project at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.
But this wasn't about new sewers going in underground. It was more about the flow this team was going to be keeping out of the sewers.
The new exhibit, a stormwater management demonstration project, will help reduce flooding of the zoo's Guest Services Building by capturing stormwater on-site for reuse in two raingardens and a bioswale. The stormwater is stored in a 550-gallon cistern that is actually a reused tank from last summer's "Touch!" exhibit. [ See project-diagram poster here ]
"Working hand-in-hand with Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and the Earth Day Coalition has been a valuable experience for us," said Mayer-Mack about the project partnership. "This project shows how we redirect stormwater and use natural systems to manage that water on-site and we will monitor the site to demonstrate effectiveness of this system. The zoo is a perfect location to educate the pubic on the benefits of these ecology-minded solutions."
Linda was joined during her interview by the zoo's Manager of Horticulture Don Krock in a piece which aired this morning during the CBS Early Show's local segments. A portion of the raingardens will be complete by the EarthFest celebration April 19 and the remainder of the project will be complete by mid-June.
"The raingardens at the zoo are going to be composed of both shade- and sun-tolerant plants that are all native to Northeast Ohio," said Krock. He said homeowners can create raingardens at home, provided they know the "soil conditions they're dealing with, whether it's full sun or shade, and how much rainfall is coming off the roof to know how large of a raingarden they're going to need."
Solving stormwater problems can be difficult, since runoff from one community drains into another. The Sewer District's proposed Stormwater Management Program, which is expected to formally roll out in 2010, will cost-effectively address flooding, erosion and water quality problems throughout the area using a regional, watershed-based approach. Reduction in the volume and velocity of stormwater reaching the receiving waters can support improved water quality in our lake, rivers, and natural habitats, and reduce flooding. Fewer flooding incidents, healthier waterways and a better quality of life for Greater Cleveland are all goals of the Stormwater Management Program.
"This stormwater project will not only educate the public about stormwater management," said Mayer-Mack, "but provide the zoo with a lasting legacy project that is beautiful and functional."
For additional information, please contact Public Information Specialist Jennifer Elting at 216-881-6600 ext. 6435.
