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December 15, 2005

Innovative “rain garden” technique aids in fighting stormwater runoff

WOODBRIDGE – Winter’s coming, snow is on the way – great time to plant a garden!

That is, if it were a “rain garden”. . . a landscaped, shallow depression that allows rain and melted snow to collect and seep naturally into the ground with the mission of preventing pollution runoff and recharging the water supply.

As a showpiece project to highlight ways to prevent stormwater pollution, a crew from the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station of Rutgers University has installed a rain garden behind the Woodbridge Health Center. Funding came from a New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection grant.

The chief function of a rain garden, says project directorDr. Chris Obropta, is to minimize water runoff into stormdrains – runoff that courses throughout the watershed and causes decreased sediment, flooding and damage to shorelines. “The cumulative effect of rain gardens throughout the state could be enormous,” he says. “In New Jersey, we average approximately 44 total inches of rain per year. Build 40 of these gardens in your neighborhood – with each treating 1,000 square feet of driveway or roof top runoff – and you’ll have treated and recharged one million gallons of water per year.”

The Township is receiving the rain garden gratis, says Bask Patel, the Township’s Assistant Municipal Engineer. “We provided the location and Rutgers delivered the design, construction and plants. Nature and gravity take care of the rest.”

The rain garden concept can be easily replicated by individual homeowners, says Mr. Patel. “Anyone can make a rain garden in their own yard. It’s easy to do and helps avoid minor ponding problems that can lead to more serious damage.”

A landscaped rain garden adds beauty to a lawn and creates a habitat for birds, butterflies and beneficial insects. Compared to a conventional lawn, rain gardens allow 30% more water to soak into the ground – a vital hedge against the droughts that have increasingly afflicted New Jersey during the last decade.

“Rain gardens are an important way to make our cities and neighborhoods healthier and more attractive places to live,” says Mayor Frank G. Pelzman. “We are grateful for NJDEP’s support and for the expertise of Dr. Obropta’s task force in providing this benefit to our Township.”

or more information about rain gardens call (973) 209-6321 or see the web site of The Native Plant Society of New Jersey www.npsnj.org .