Paved surfaces like roads, sidewalks, and driveways send stormwater into our sewers, but engineering solutions that filter water through the ground can help keep our sewers and waterways clean.
Megan Hall: Welcome to Possibly, where we take on huge problems like the future of our planet and break them down into small questions with unexpected answers. I’m Megan Hall.
Recently, we talked about how our hometown of Providence, Rhode Island built a huge tunnel to help store stormwater so the sewage treatment plant can keep up when it rains.
But can we prevent stormwater from going into the sewer system in the first place? Possibly reporters Will Malloy and Juliana Merullo are here to tell us more.
Will Malloy: Hi Megan!
Juliana Merullo: Hiya!
Megan Hall: So, is there a better way to deal with water when it rains?
Will Malloy: Let’s start by recapping why we’re so worried about stormwater, anyway.
Juliana Merullo: Since Providence pipes carry both wastewater and stormwater, when it rains a lot, pipes can get overwhelmed.
Will Malloy: And then untreated sewage ends up in our rivers and oceans. Gross!
Megan Hall: So, can we do something to keep this rain from overwhelming the system?
Juliana Merullo: There are basically two options – make bigger pipes or keep rain out of the pipes in the first place.
Will Malloy: To find out more about that second option, we talked to Kathryn Kelly, the Assistant Director of Engineering and Construction for the Narragansett Bay Commission.
Kathryn Kelly: We’re trying to promote infiltration of stormwater into the ground, rather being then being directed to our combined system
Will Malloy: After all, if rainwater never goes into the sewers at all, the system can’t get overwhelmed.
Megan Hall: That makes sense. But how do we do that?
Juliana Merullo: Part of the problem is that we’ve paved over so much land with streets, sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots.
Will Malloy: Unlike grass and dirt, asphalt and concrete are impervious – which means that water can’t get through it. Rather than soak into the ground, water runs off streets into storm drains, which is how it gets to the sewer.
Juliana Merullo: Not only does that mean more work for the sewer system, but stormwater can pick up all kinds of nasty stuff on the roads – from trash to chemicals to bacteria.
Will Malloy: And if water can make it to the ground instead, it can filter through the dirt instead of running along the road.
Megan Hall: Alright, but we’re not going to rip up all of our roads…
Will Malloy: That’s true – but turns out we might not have to give up our paved surfaces entirely. Kathryn took us to check out what looks like a totally normal basketball court –
Kathryn Kelly We are at Pierce Park in Central Falls.
Juliana Merullo: But the court is an example of how we can use engineering to help water reach the ground!
Kathryn Kelly The basketball court is actually constructed of pervious or porous pavement. So unlike typical pavement so when rain falls on that pavement, it will actually infiltrate into the ground.
Will Malloy: The surface is made of big pieces which create little openings for water to run through.
Megan Hall: That sounds great! Should we replace all our pavement with this stuff?
Juliana Merullo: Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. It’s not a good choice for roads in places like Rhode Island.
Kathryn Kelly We have to sand the roads in the wintertime to make them safe. It would basically fill these pores in the concrete and essentially make it impervious.
Will Malloy: It’s easier to make parking lots that are stormwater friendly, though.
Juliana Merullo: And the idea behind it – directing stormwater into the ground instead of into the sewers – can be applied in a lot of different ways.
Megan Hall: Is this something I could help out with at home?
Juliana Merullo: For sure! Kathryn has a few ideas-
Kathryn Kelly A lot of people still have their roof leaders, downspouts, basement sump pumps connected to their sewer connection, so that’s directing stormwater to our combined system. If you have a grassy area in your yard, where you can redirect your stormwater from your downspouts you should try to do so.
Will Malloy: You could also consider replacing your driveway –
Kathryn Kelly Look at crushed stone. Or look at porous pavement, it is a little more expensive. Or maybe look at pavers.
Juliana Merullo: Whether or not you can personally help out, this principle – letting rainwater soak into the ground instead of going into sewers – can be applied in all sorts of contexts.
Will Malloy: Incorporating this “green infrastructure” into cities and towns is one way to help keep the water clean. Boston has all kinds of examples around the city – from rain gardens to sidewalks made to let the water through.
Juliana Merullo: Now it’s just time for Providence to catch up!
Megan Hall: Thanks for checking it out!
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Possibly is a co-production of The Public’s Radio, Brown University’s Institute for Environment and Society and Brown’s Climate Solutions Initiative.
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