STORM WATER MANAGEMENT
Accomplishments
Significant progress has been made in the reduction of impervious surfaces and in the proper treatment of storm water runoff. All of the recent large landscape renovations and new initiatives have met or exceeded storm water management regulations. These accomplishments are extremely important since nearly all of the storm water from the main campus eventually flows into Lake Waban, a contributor to the Charles River.
Paint Shop Pond
Sedimentation bays actively treat storm water not only from the project’s footprint, but also from
the Trades Shops and Distribution Center, including all adjacent parking areas. Great
improvements have been made in the quality of the ground water in this overall area.
Alumnae Valley/Wang Campus Center
Alumnae Valley/Wang Campus Center
This project was responsible for a major reduction in
impervious surfaces at the college, totaling approximately 3.6 acres in
the valley alone through the removal of the Service lot and the
adjacent tennis courts. A large storm water interceptor and multiple
sedimentation bays, including the Cattail Marsh during high storm events,
treat all storm water before it enters Lake Waban.
Chapel Lawn
A storm water interceptor treats storm water from this overall area before it enters Lake Waban.
Science Center Meadows
These meadows act as a type of sedimentation bay for storm water generated in this overall area.
Science Center Meadows
Initiatives
-
Install a code-compliant vehicle and equipment
wash station to put all associated wash water into sanitary rather than
storm water systems.
Implementation: Facility designed but value engineering is ongoing at this time. Original design was cost prohibitive. Further investigation required a significant shift in design and is currently being completed. (Build facility in 2008)
-
Upgrade storm water management system in the Motor Pool/Grounds area
Implementation: Currently all storm water from this area enters Lower Waban Brook directly. Need to install sediment fixtures and bell hoods to isolate oils. Master Plan for this overall area is complete. (Partial implementation of master plan and upgrade drainage in 2008.) -
Continue to improve water quality of managed
storm water through sedimentation bays or structures and through
upgrading operations to allow for a reduction in unwanted materials
entering the system. Continue to remove and/or modify impermeable
surfaces as feasible.
Implementation: See landscape projects noted above. In addition, develop a plan to provide for proper storm water management including associated infrastructure of systems not currently addressed or included in proposed landscape projects. Special attention now needs to focus on the central and east campuses, since the west campus and Chapel Lawn areas meets criteria. (2010) -
Assess storm water management related to the
college’s botanic gardens in order to upgrade water quality and resolve
soil erosion issues.
Implementation: See landscape projects noted above. In addition, Review entire storm water management system with Arboretum staff before design of Sage project. (Partial implementation planned for 2009 as an integral piece of the Sage landscape restoration.) -
Investigate and experiment with permeable
surfaces for secondary pedestrian pathways.
Implementation: Implement on pathways that will not be plowed during the winter season. (2009)