Passaic Valley Sewerage
Commission
Comprehensive Water Resource
Management Plan
Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Water Resources Program
Green Infrastructure
Initiative June 2013
PVSC
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PVSC’s Plan for Promotion of Green Infrastructure
• The PVSC Sewerage District
– 48 municipalities in 5 counties
– Includes both Separate and Combined Sewer Systems
• 9 with Combined Sewer Systems
• Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO)s and stormwater runoff can impact ambient water quality
– Can be partially alleviated with use of Green Infrastructure
• Green Infrastructure components will be required in CSO Long Term Control Plans
PVSC’s Plan for Promotion of Green Infrastructure
• PVSC is dedicated to leading efforts throughout the PVSC Sewerage District to: 1) intercept stormwater runoff 2) reduce Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) 3) manage existing water infrastructure 4) minimize frequent flooding events
• PVSC has entered into a partnership with Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) Water Resources Program to achieve these goals
PVSC’s Plan for Promotion of Green Infrastructure
• Green Infrastructure Program (Year 1)
3 Main Objectives:
1) Municipal Outreach and Education
2) Community-Based Technical Assistance
3) Green Infrastructure Demonstration Projects
PVSC’s Plan for Promotion of Green Infrastructure
May – June 2013
– Initial Stakeholder meeting
– Development of educational materials and distribution to municipalities
– Kick-off Event @ PVSC (May 16, 2013)
– Program website to be developed and hosted by RCE Water Resources Program (http://www.water.rutgers.edu/PVSC.html)
Objective 1 – Municipal Outreach and Education
PVSC’s Plan for Promotion of Green Infrastructure
June 2013
– 4 outreach sessions by county: • Passaic (June 10, 2013) • Bergen (June 17, 2013) • Essex/Union (June 24, 2013) • Hudson (June 26, 2013)
– Identify municipalities willing to pursue a community-wide Green Infrastructure program
Objective 1 – Municipal Outreach and Education
PVSC’s Plan for Promotion of Green Infrastructure
July – December 2013
– Work individually with interested municipalities
– PVSC & RCE Water Resources Program: • Complete Municipal-Wide GI Assessment and Opportunity
Analyses for 6-8 individual municipalities through cost-sharing agreements between PVSC and the municipalities
– Municipalities must: • Provide available mapping, digital data, and other resources
as necessary • Commit resources to complete 2 GI demonstration projects
detailed in the final municipal assessment
Objective 2 – Community-Based Technical Assistance
PVSC’s Plan for Promotion of Green Infrastructure
July – December 2013
– RCE Water Resources Program will develop and install 2 Green Infrastructure demonstration projects with PVSC
• 1st project on PVSC property
• 2nd project within PVSC Sewerage District
• Projects may include rain gardens, bioswales, porous pavement, rainwater harvesting systems
• Demonstrate practical, cost-effective strategies that can be replicated throughout the PVSC Sewerage District
Objective 3 – GI Demonstration Projects
PVSC’s Plan for Promotion of Green Infrastructure
July – December 2013
– RCE Water Resources Program will hold Green Infrastructure training workshop for PVSC staff and interested municipal representatives
• Learn planning, design, construction, and maintenance of Green Infrastructure projects
• Opportunity to assist with construction of 2nd Green Infrastructure demonstration project
Objective 3 – GI Demonstration Projects
PVSC’s Plan for Promotion of Green Infrastructure
• Plan to renew partnership with RCE Water Resources Program for multiple years
– Continue to expand use of Green Infrastructure throughout PVSC Sewerage District
TOGETHER, we can improve water
quality AND quality of life through the use of Green Infrastructure
INTRODUCTION TO GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE
HOW WE CAN PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES AND OUR WATERS
June 2013
Christopher C. Obropta, Ph.D., PE Jeremiah D. Bergstrom, LLA, ASLA
Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Water Resources Program http://www.water.rutgers.edu/PVSC.html
What is stormwater?
Stormwater is the water from rain or melting snows that can become “runoff,” flowing over the ground surface and returning to lakes and streams.
WHAT IS A WATERSHED? ó An area of land that water flows across, through, or under on its way
to a stream, river, lake, ocean or other body of water. ó A watershed is like one big bathtub...
Courtesy of Texas Watershed Stewards, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Do you know what a
watershed is?
HYDROLOGIC CYCLE
Courtesy of www.fgmorph.com
WHERE DOES PRECIPITATION GO?
1. It can run off
Courtesy of Texas Watershed Stewards, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
WHERE DOES PRECIPITATION GO? 2. It can be absorbed by plants and used for
photosynthesis and other biological processes
Courtesy of Texas Watershed Stewards, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
WHERE DOES PRECIPITATION GO? 3. It can infiltrate through the soil surface and percolate
downward to groundwater aquifers
Courtesy of Texas Watershed Stewards, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
WHERE DOES PRECIPITATION GO? 4. It can evaporate
Courtesy of Texas Watershed Stewards, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
More development
More impervious surfaces
More stormwater runoff
10% 20% 30% 55%
The Impact of Development on Stormwater Runoff
LAND USE/LAND COVER CHANGES
LAND USE HOW LAND IS USED BY
HUMANS: • AGRICULTURE • INDUSTRY • URBAN • RESIDENTIAL • RECREATION
LAND COVER BIOLOGICAL AND
PHYSICAL FEATURES OF THE LAND:
• FORESTS • GRASSLANDS • AGRICULTURAL FIELDS • RIVERS, LAKES • BUILDINGS, PARKING LOTS
LAND USE/LAND COVER CHANGES
Courtesy of Texas Watershed Stewards, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
The Urban Hydrologic Cycle
WATER POLLUTION SOURCES POINT SOURCE POLLUTION NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION
Environmental Health Perspective, National Institute of Health
POINT SOURCE POLLUTION
• Comes from a specific source, like a pipe
• Factories, industry, municipal treatment plants
• Can be monitored and controlled by a permit system (NPDES)
NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION • Nonpoint Source (NPS)
Pollution is pollution associated with stormwater or runoff
• NPS occurs when runoff collects pollutants on its way to a collection system or water body
• NPS pollution cannot be traced to a direct discharge point such as a wastewater treatment facility
NPS = “People Pollution”
litter fertilizers
animal waste grass clippings septic systems
oil & grease from cars household cleaning products
sewage & cleaners from boats
These pollutants build up on the land then wash off
IMPACT OF NPS • Fish and wildlife • Recreational water
activities • Commercial fishing • Tourism • Drinking water quality
What is infrastructure? • Infrastructure includes
the basic structures and organizations needed to operate our cities: – roads – water supply – sewers – electrical grids – telecommunications,
Gray Infrastructure
• Roads
• Curbs & Gutters
• Catch Basins
• Sewer Pipes
• Retention & Detention Ponds
• Treatment Plants
GRAY INFRASTRUCTURE
Combined Sewer Systems (CSOs)
Combined versus Separate Sewers
Downspout
Storm drain
Dry Weather
Outfall pipe to creek
Downspout
Storm drain
Dry Weather
Outfall pipe to creek
Combined Sewer Separate Sewer
22
Downspout
Storm drain
Downspout
Storm drain
Outfall pipe to creek
Combined Sewer Separate Sewer
Types of Sewers in Philadelphia
Wet Weather Wet Weather
Outfall pipe to creek
Combined versus Separate Sewers
What is Green Infrastructure?
Philadelphia Green
Infrastructure
Green infrastructure is an approach to wet weather management that is cost-effective, sustainable, and environmentally friendly. Green Infrastructure management approaches and technologies infiltrate, evapotranspire, capture and reuse stormwater to maintain or restore natural hydrologies.
USEPA. 2009. Green Infrastructure Manual.
Rain Garden in Holmdel, NJ Native NJ Purple Coneflower Pervious Pavers
Green Infrastructure is ... …an approach to stormwater management that is cost-effective, sustainable, and environmentally friendly. Green Infrastructure projects:
• capture, • filter, • absorb, and • reuse
stormwater to maintain or mimic natural systems and treat runoff as a resource.
Green Infrastructure includes: Green Roofs Rainwater Harvesting Tree Filter/Planter Boxes Rain Gardens/Bioretention Systems Permeable Pavements Vegetated Swales or Bioswales Natural Retention Basins Trees & Urban Forestry Green Streets
Parker Urban Greenscapes. 2009.
What are ways we can better manage stormwater in our community?
Play
Christopher C. Obropta, Ph.D., PE Jeremiah D. Bergstrom, LLA, ASLA
Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Water Resources Program http://www.water.rutgers.edu/PVSC.html
Questions?
GETTING STARTED Planning for Green Infrastructure in your
Community
June 2013
Christopher C. Obropta, Ph.D., PE Jeremiah D. Bergstrom, LLA, ASLA
Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Water Resources Program http://www.water.rutgers.edu/PVSC.html
Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) helps the diverse population of New Jersey adapt to a rapidly changing society and improves their lives through an educational process that uses science-based knowledge.
Water Resources Program The Water Resources
Program is one of many specialty programs under Rutgers Cooperative Extension.
Our Mission is to
identify and address community water resources issues using sustainable and practical science-based solutions.
Cooperative Extension of Essex and Passaic Counties
Dr. Amy Rowe, Environmental and Resource Management Agent – Focusing on sustainable landscaping, green
infrastructure, and green jobs training – Available to assist communities implement
education and outreach programs Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station
Cooperative Extension of Essex County Cooperative Extension of Passaic County 621a Eagle Rock Avenue 1310 Route 23 North Roseland, NJ 07068 Wayne, NJ 07470 p. 973-287-6360 f. 973-364-5261 [email protected]
How can we minimize the impact of stormwater runoff in our community?
It is all about controlling runoff from impervious
surfaces
The Hydrologic Cycle
We must deal with impacts from impervious cover
Are there impervious surfaces that you can eliminate?
Are there impervious surfaces that you can harvest rainwater for reuse?
If we can't eliminate it, can we reduce it?
If we can't eliminate or reduce it, can we disconnect it?
Are there conveyance systems that can be converted to bioswales?
Eliminate it!
Reduce It!
Disconnect It!
Runoff Direction
1 acre directly connected
impervious cover
2 acres pervious cover
Total drainage area = 3 acres
For 1.25 inch storm, 3,811 cubic feet of runoff = 28,500 gallons
Stormwater Inlet
1 acre directly connected
impervious cover
2 acres pervious cover
Total drainage area = 3 acres
For 1.25 inch storm, 581 cubic feet of runoff = 4,360 gallons
Runoff Direction
Stormwater Inlet
Volume of Runoff
Design Storm
Connected (gallons)
Disconnected (gallons)
Percent Difference
1.25 inches (water quality
storm)
28,500 4,360 85%
Disconnect your downspout by installing a
rain barrel
Disconnection with Rain Water Harvesting
Impervious area is now “disconnected” from flowing directly into the storm sewer system
So Many Barrels to Choose From…
Or Larger Rainwater Harvesting Systems…
Rooftop runoff is now “disconnected” from flowing directly into the storm sewer system
Disconnection with Rain Gardens
Lots of Rain Gardens
Disconnect with a Tree Filter Box
Rooftop runoff is now “disconnected” from flowing directly into the storm sewer system
Disconnection with Tree Filter Box
Planning for Green Infrastructure
• Remediate flooding • Reduce CSOs - raw wastewater discharge in parks,
streets, basements, and waterways • Manage Inflow & Infiltration
What are the water resources issues in your community?
CITY OF CAMDEN COMMUNITY-BASED GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE FEASIBILITY STUDY
Camden, NJ/ 2010-2012
Localized Flooding in Camden
• October 1, 2010 rain event in Cramer Hill
• Capacity of existing infrastructure & topography
• Sewage water and public health hazard
• Existing conditions/needs vary by neighborhood
Community-Based Green Infrastructure for the City of Camden
Community-Based Green Infrastructure for the City of Camden
• City-wide mapping • Community meetings • Site visits and City
tours • Conceptual designs
City-Wide Mapping
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• 20 Neighborhood Maps • Map information
includes: • Churches • Schools • Parks • Community Meeting Input
Community Meetings • 5 meetings across the City • Residents completed short
surveys and sketched on neighborhood maps to identify existing areas of flooding and potential areas for Green Infrastructure
Neighborhood Maps
Site Visits and City Tours
• Conducted multiple visits and tours to individual neighborhoods
• Met with community Leaders
• Photographed and measured green infrastructure opportunity sites
Conceptual Designs
• Identified 40 green infrastructure demonstration projects and programs
• Projects proposed in all of Camden’s neighborhoods
• Selected 13 Priority sites to begin work in 2012
• Feasible project • Ready partnership • High visibility • Grant funds available
2012 Priority Demonstration Projects
2012 Priority Demonstration Project
Puerto Rican Unity for Progress
Project: Rain Garden Installation Funding: Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority ($96,000)
Sumner School, Camden NJ
Sumner School, Camden NJ Installation Photos
Green Gateway Plan Camden, NJ Existing Conditions
Green Gateway Plan Camden, NJ
Chelton Ave Construction Progress June 21, 2010
Project: Community Park + Garden
Green Gateway Plan Camden, NJ Proposed Site Plan
Parkside Rain Gardens, Camden, NJ Parkside Business and Community in Partnership (PBCIP)
Parkside Rain Gardens, Camden, NJ Parkside Business and Community in Partnership (PBCIP)
STORMWATER EDUCATION PROGRAM
Stormwater Management In Your Schoolyard
1. Educational Lectures 2. Hands-on Activities 3. Community Level Outreach 4. Rain Gardens/Rain Barrels
Objective Empower students to take action in their local community. Examples Lindenwold School 4 Central Elementary School, Haddonfield Sumner Elementary School, Camden Lawnside Public School Lindenwold High School Haddonfield Memorial High School
• Taught 180+ elementary and high school students (grades 1-12) in 6 schools
• Partnerships with Camden County 4-H Youth Development Program, AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassador, Master Gardeners, and local school systems
Stormwater Management in Your Schoolyard
• Taught 200+ homeowners in watershed how to install and manage rain gardens on their residential property
• Installed demonstration rain gardens in local communities • Fostered partnerships with the following communities:
• Cherry Hill • Voorhees • Lawnside • Parkside neighborhood, Camden • Cramer Hill neighborhood, Camden • Waterfront South neighborhood, Camden • Collingswood
Stormwater Management in Your Backyard
• Taught 90+ landscape professionals through hands-on workshops how to install and manage rain gardens
• Corporate Landscapes for Stormwater Management
• Fostered partnerships with local corporations to install demonstration rain gardens
– Subaru of America, Inc. in Cherry Hill – Perkins Center for the Arts in Collingswood – Flying Fish Brewery in Somerdale
Rain Garden Training for Landscape Professionals
Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority Camden, NJ Project: Community Garden
Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority Camden, NJ Installation Photos
Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority Camden, NJ Installation Photos
Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority Camden, NJ Installation Photos
Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority Camden, NJ Completed Installation
Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority Camden, NJ After Installation
Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority Camden, NJ After Installation
What you can do…
Can your community benefit…
1. Does your community suffer from localized flooding?
2. Does your community have combined sewers?
3. Does your community pay too much for treating wastewater because of inflow and infiltration (I&I) problems?
4. Is your community committed to protecting the health of its residents?
Next Steps
• Discuss green infrastructure with your community leaders
• Identify most critical issues in your community
• Contact Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program for a free consultation
Green Infrastructure Planning
• Complete 6 plans in 2013 • Through ongoing partnerships complete
additional plans in coming years – Continue to expand the use of Green
Infrastructure throughout PVSC Sewerage District
TOGETHER, we can improve water quality AND quality of life through the
use of Green Infrastructure
Questions?
PVSC Rutgers Christopher Obropta, Ph.D., P.E. [email protected] 848.932.5711 Jeremiah Bergstrom, LLA, ASLA [email protected] 848.932.5708 Amy Rowe, Ph.D. [email protected] 973.287.6360
Bridget McKenna [email protected] 973.817.5976 Ashley T. Slagle [email protected] 973.817.5958