Green Water Infrastructure

Archive for the ‘Landscaping’ Category

Economic Recovery Investments for Clean and Reliable Water

As many of you who have heard me speak, you know my passion for developing sustainable, environmentally friendly solutions to our nation’s water infrastructure. Stormwater from rainfall events are the biggest source of pollution in America. The civil engineers call it non-point source pollution.

In 2006, the American Society of Civil Engineers graded our nation’s water infrastructure D-. The lowest grade of all the infrastructure categories examined. Although this grade is unacceptably low, the next  lowest grade is F – Failure. An “F” is simply unacceptable. Without access to clean, sanitary water supplies people perish. Click here to see the 2009 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure.

American Rivers, funded by the Park Foundation, the Kresege Foundation, the William Penn Foundation, Keith Campbel Foundation, and the Turner Foundation, has created report which examines the efforts of nineteen states with “bright green” projects. Here are some key findings:

• The demand for funding is far, far greater than currently provided on both the Federal and state level.
• Future funding should be targeted to “bright green” projects. “Bright green” project types includes:
• Bioswales
• Green Roofs
• Permeable Paving
• Rain Gardens
• Riparian Habitate Resotoration
• Wetlands Restoration
• States must act quickly to remove barriers, eg. statutes, regulation, and policies, that are roadblocks to integrated approaches to our communities’ implementation of infrastructure improvements.
• An integrated approach is necessary to understand the complete benefit of green infrastructure.

For me, the most important elements are the job creation and economic output.

A $10 billion investment in water efficient projects would produce a total economic output of $25-28 billion and create 150,000 to 220,000 jobs.

For every dollar invested the return is $2.65. It doesn’t take a financial wizard to understand this concept. Investing in green infrastructure is good for the economy, the environment and the communities in which we live.

There is a tremendous opportunity to combine our existing gray infrastructure with newer green infrastructure creating sustainable communities.

Click here to download the report, “Putting Green to Work.”

The Rain Garden at Chicago Center for Green Technology, Chicago, Illinios

I had the pleasure of presenting “Constructing Rain Gardens & Bioswales” at the Chicago Center for Green Technology (CCGT) on Thursday, September 29th. The audience, between 30 to 40 people, was great.

We talked about stormwater issues and toured the rain garden at the Chicago Center for Green Technology. Steve Pincuspy, Director of CCGT, led the tour and did an excellent job of explaining the effectiveness of the rain gardens in mitigating the local stormwater problem.

The presentation was followed by over thirty minutes of questions.

Here is a copy of the presentation:

Windridge Condominium Homes to Build Eco-Friendly Rain Garden 

Indianapolis, Indiana—Windridge Condominium Homes, located in the Emerson and Fall Creek Parkway area, has announced that it will build a groundbreaking rain garden. Not only will this garden be beautiful, it will also help to alleviate existing flooding and moisture issues in the neighborhood.

Originally built more than 30 years ago, challenges associated with stormwater drainage have confronted Windridge from its inception.  While the original developers installed traditional storm drains and conveyance systems in the neighborhood, ongoing development in the surrounding area has increased the frequency and volume of stormwater flow around and through Windridge.  While various solutions have been implemented over the years to control flooding and standing water issues, the neighborhood’s infrastructure has been unable to handle the more than 91 million  gallons of rain water that fall on the neighborhood annually.

The rain garden will not only reduce runoff into nearby Fall Creek, it will also improve local water quality by capturing pollution that normally contributes to algae growth, and improve the overall ecology of the local water systems.

 “Rain gardens are a green way to solve many traditional storm water problems,” said Tom Barrett, owner of Green Water Infrastructure and a consultant on the project. “They’re also a great retrofit for many older, more established communities with persistent drainage issues.”

Fischer Design, an Indianapolis-based landscape architecture firm, will design the rain garden. Green Water Infrastructure in Westfield will provide green consulting. TERRA Site Development in Westfield will provide the civil engineering for the project. The project is expected to break ground in September 2011.

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About Windridge Condominiums:

The Windridge community is a unique collection of two hundred and twenty one homes located in a natural setting along Fall Creek in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Touring the property one easily recognizes our respect for the natural environment.  You will see a number of wild animals, birds, countless plants, and trees.  The Windridge community takes pride in maintaining our natural surroundings.

About Fischer Design, LLC:

Fischer Design is a landscape architecture design firm focused on the creative integration of man-made and natural environments promoting environmentally responsible, sustainable, functional, and aesthetically beautiful design solutions. For additional information about Fischer Design, please visit www.fischerdesignllc.com.

About Green Water Infrastructure:

Green Water Infrastructure is a consulting company that integrates water resources for sustainable site development. Their goal is to utilize one hundred percent of the on-site water resources at a site. Green Water saves communities money by combining green infrastructure with gray infrastructure and new technology with existing technology to create sustainable growth — environmentally and socially. For more information, please visit www.thinkgwi.com.

About TERRA Site Development, Inc.:

TERRA Site Development, Inc. (TERRA) is a site development consulting firm that provides specialized investigation, engineering design, and testing services for property and projects in all aspects of development.  Assisting clients regardless of what stage their project is in – TERRA provides environmental and geotechnical assessment before property is purchased, civil engineering design and permitting assistance prior to construction, and materials testing and inspection during buildout.  Located in Westfield and Indianapolis, additional information about TERRA can be found at www.terrasitedev.com.

April 23, 2011 (Brownburg, Indiana)

Frazee Gardens hosted a special presentation on the need for rain gardens in our community. Kathy Dillon, Wastewater Superintendent for the Town of Brownsburg gave an update on the the City’s stormwater plans.

Below are the three presentations.

Cleaning up the Dirty Truth about Water

Tom Barrett of Green Water Infrastructure began by sharing with you the dirty facts about what happens to surrounding Indianapolis waterways almost every time it rains. After you understand the limitations we are faced with relying on our current storm drain system, you will begin to see why rain gardens are such a vital necessity in our urban landscape.

Here is a copy of Tom’s Presentation on Stormwater and Rain Gardens:

Native Plants for Rain Gardens

Ronda Fischer of Fischer Design, LLC will followed with a discussion about the benefits of using native plants in rain gardens. Native plants are already adapted to Indiana’s extremes in temperature and precipitation requiring less maintenance. They also improve infiltration, drainage and water retention while providing important wildlife habitat.

Here is a copy of Ronda’s Presentation on Native Plants for use in Rain Gardens:

Constructing Rain Gardens

Frazee Gardens installed a rain garden on site for homeowners to view as well as native plants that work best in rain gardens for our area.

Here is a copy of the Frazee Gardens’ Presentation on Constructing their Rain Garden:

Green Infrastructure: Creating Sustainable Sites & Livable Communities

Tom’s next presentation, entitled “Green Infrastructure: Creating Sustainable Sites & Livable Communities” is May 12th at the Chicago Center for Green Technology. There is no charge for this presention. You can Click Here to Register.

March 1, 2011

Evansville, Indiana

I presented my talk, “Trends in Landscaping: Growing Sales in a Down Economy” at the 2011 Tenbarge Seed & Turfgrass Supplies Education and Trade Show.

We had a great turnout and a lot of great questions from the audience. The most enjoyable part for me was the diversity of the audience. We had seasoned stormwater professionals to homeowners.

I am look forward to my next speaking engagement at The Chicago Center for Green Technology on March 31, 2011 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. when I will speak about “Rain Gardens and Bioswales.”

Here is a copy of the presentation:

Great Presentation! I did exactly as you said, I looked for new business in places I never thought of before, it works!”

— Keith Fisher, Growing Green Lawn Care, LLC

 

Tom Barrett, owner of Westfield, Indiana-based Green Water Infrastructure, will present “Constructing Rain Gardens and Bioswales: New Tools for Sustainable Site Development” at the Chicago Center for Green Technology on March 31 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

In the presentation, Barrett will discuss how rain gardens and bioswales protects, restores, and mimics the natural water cycle, and how they can help develop a natural approach to water efficiency, and relieve storm water management issues.

“The American Society for Civil Engineers gave the United States’ water systems a grade of

‘D-,’ the lowest of any America infrastructure,” said Barrett. “Through increased use of rain gardens and bioswales, we can improve our water systems and create a better environment for plants, animals and people.”

This program is presented free of charge as part of the Chicago Center for Green Technology’s Green Tech U program. Registration is required by calling 312-746-9642 or by emailing your requested class and contact information to greentech@cityofchicago.org with “Green Tech U” in the subject line.

About Tom Barrett:

Tom Barrett is an accomplished corporate growth and change agent with over thirty years of landscape industry experience.   Tom’s leadership experience, holding executive level positions, drives corporate revenue growth through change and innovation for business start-ups, corporate expansions, and divisional turnarounds.

Tom Barrett has been delivering energetic, dynamic presentations and training for over twenty years.  These presentations empower people to become masters of change rather than victims of circumstance by developing tools for transformational thinking.  For more information, please visit www.thinkgwi.com

About Green Water Infrastructure:

Green Water Infrastructure is a consulting company that integrates water resources for sustainable site development. Their goal is to utilize one hundred percent of the on-site water resources at a site. Green Water saves communities money by combining green infrastructure with gray infrastructure and new technology with existing technology to create sustainable growth — environmentally and socially. For more information, please visit www.thinkgwi.com.

About the Chicago Center for Green Technology: The Chicago Center for Green Technology is the first rehabilitated municipal building in the nation to receive the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ™ (LEED) Platinum rating by the U.S. Green Building Council. Mayor Richard M. Daley dedicated the building in 2002 and it has since become a national model for sustainable design and technology. The Center serves as the most comprehensive green design and educational resource in the Midwest.

Plainfield, Indiana

February 16, 2011