The City of Milwaukee has formed an alliance of dedicated volunteers on a path toward protecting the area’s waterways. Where storm water flowed into streets, overwhelming local sewers, residents on Milwaukee neighborhoods have planted rows of vegetables and gardens of native flowers. Volunteers have also planted 16 rain gardens of more than 1,500 square feet and installed 200 rain barrels in the past two years to collect storm water and use it, instead of losing it. In recognition of those efforts to help prevent sewer overflows and flooded basements. The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) has honored those participating in this water conservation effort by naming the group a part of the “green luminary”. Green Luminaries are recognized monthly by MMSD for leadership in promoting and installing green infrastructure. Rain barrels and gardens planted at the end of downspouts, as well as permeable pavement and green roofs, are known as green infrastructure because they supplement the capacity of traditional gray infrastructure: metal sewer pipes. There are even more plans for the volunteers to establish at least 600 square feet of additional rain garden and install 100 more rain barrels this year. When completed, the group’s full 2,100 square feet of gardens will absorb 9,240 gallons of water every time it rains.
Flooding during torrential rains, approximately six years ago, caused more than $32 million in damage to commercial, industrial and residential properties along the north end of the N. 30th St. corridor. The city recently approved of a total of $646,130 in 10 green infrastructure grants to municipalities, businesses, and a museum as well as a university campus. The grants will help pay costs of installing storm-water storage cisterns, porous pavement, rain gardens and other storm-water management projects with a total storage capacity of 616,876 gallons of storm water.
Coming soon: Perma-Liner Industries is busy making plans for you. We’re planning a “Trenchless Tour” on July 27th in the New England area. We’ll be posting more information on this spectacular event…stay tuned!
