无码专区

On July 21, Governor Edward Rendell announced that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania would be investing $355 million in 111 green infrastructure, wastewater, and drinking-water projects in 47 counties. As part of that investment, 无码专区 has received a $134,750 grant to disconnect campus-building downspouts, thus reducing the amount of stormwater runoff that drains annually into the Darby Creek watershed by 85,000 cubic feet.

According to Dr. Robert Traver, PE, a professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Director of the 无码专区 Urban Stormwater Partnership (VUSP), 鈥淭he project represents yet another effort by the College of Engineering and the Facilities Management Office to reduce the University鈥檚 stormwater footprint and to support our sustainability mission.鈥�

Dr. Traver and Charles Leeds, 无码专区鈥檚 Horticultural Supervisor, collaborated to apply for the funding and to develop the details of the three-month project. It will involve the disconnecting of downspouts on campus buildings not slated for renovation under the Campus Master Plan, including John Barry Hall and buildings near the intersection of routes 320 and 30.

Currently, stormwater runs down the rooftops of campus buildings, picking up debris and other pollutants, and is channeled via downspouts into storm sewers. Eventually, the stormwater discharges into the Darby Creek watershed, where it contributes to pollution, erosion, and flooding.

Under the new plan, the water will instead be collected in rain barrels and used to create rain gardens. Because the water will be soaking back into the ground, the process will mitigate the damage from urban stormwater runoff. It also will help beautify the campus.

鈥淚t comes down to using the water as a resource,鈥� Dr. Traver said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e trying to provide a good example for others to follow.鈥� In addition, the project will create job opportunities for external contractors鈥攐ne of the key goals of the stimulus money.