Upcoming Stormwater Events
We currently do not have any stormwater events planned. Stay up to date on our upcoming events via our event calendar and newsletter.
Please contact info@easternriconservation.org with any stormwater questions.
Stormwater
When it rains, stormwater washes toxic pollutants into our watershed. Pollutants (such as fertilizers, animal waste, pesticides, and car leakage) pour down our driveways, sidewalks, parking lots, and streets – eventually flowing in Narragansett Bay.
Green Infrastructure
Installing Green Stormwater Infrastructure can help to absorb water more naturally into the ground, improving the health of our coastal and drinking waters! Examples of Green Stormwater Infrastructure include a rain barrels, rain gardens, or a pervious pavers driveways.
Example of stormwater flooding in Newport, RI.
Green Infrastructure solutions such as rain barrels help divert polluted stormwater from the waterways.
Protecting Melville Pond in Portsmouth
Rain Garden and OLAZ at Melville Elementary School in Portsmouth, RI
This Outdoor Learning Activity Zone acts as an outdoor classroom. The design incorporates a rain garden, which collects polluted stormwater that would normally flow into Melville Pond, an integral water source in the Narragansett Bay Watershed. Each year it removes an average of .48 pounds of phosphorus, .33 pounds of zinc, and 4.28 pounds of nitrogen. People of all abilities can enjoy this garden because it is fully handicap accessible.
This project was made possible by a partnership between ERICD, Thrive Outside, RIDOT, and Melville School.
ERICD is on the leadership committee for the Rhode Island Green Infrastructure Coalition (GIC). The coalition includes non-profit organizations, architects, designers, builders, city planners and state and local policymakers as partners, who work together to promote nature based solutions for cleaning runoff pollution.
Stormwater Mitigation & Outdoor Learning Activity Zone
Melville Elementary School
Portsmouth, RI
The installation at Melville Elementary School in Portsmouth collects polluted stormwater that would normally flow into Melville Pond, an integral water source in the Narragansett Bay Watershed. This project was made possible by a partnership between ERICD, Melville, Rhode Island Department of Transportation, and Thrive Outside.
While it is working to absorb excess water, it is also serves as an Outdoor Learning Activity Zone with an outdoor classroom. The outdoor space allows students to learn safely while adhering social distancing protocols.
Uniquely, anyone can enjoy this garden because it is fully handicap accessible!
