Ann4Cheltenham

POSTED: Tuesday, October 22, 2013, 2:01 AM

Stronger than floods

A recent field trip run by the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership, city and state agencies, and civic groups surveyed various green storm-water infrastructure practices designed to help curtail flooding, water contamination, sewer overflows, blight, and groundwater depletion. We saw depaving projects, sizable planters, tree trenches, porous concrete, and extensive garden rain-filtration efforts, in addition to underground holding tanks among other best practices. Engineers translated technicalities; designers described other features. Costs, funding sources, challenges, and benefits were part of the discussions.

Heavy downpours drenched us on the field trip, but these storm-water projects showed us how effective such practices can be. So, the next time you curse having to mow the grass, or watch rivers of wasted water flowing down your street, stop to consider that brilliant alternatives exist. We need to start implementing them.

Ann L. Rappoport, Wyncote