ENLACE to design new stormwater drainage system plan in Cano Martin Pena, US

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a grant to ENLACE to design a plan for a new stormwater drainage system along the Cano Martin Pena.

ENLACE, which serves communities along the Martin Pena Canal in San Juan, Puerto Rico, will build partnerships between the communities and the public and private sector by using the $60,000 funding to rehabilitate the Cano Martin Pena and its bordering communities.

The funding is said to be part of the agency’s Urban Waters programme, which supports community efforts to restore and revitalise canals, rivers, lakes, wetlands, aquifers, estuaries, bays and ocean areas.

The programme will focus on underserved communities and aims to fund research, investigations, experiments, training, surveys, studies and demonstrations that advance the restoration of urban watersheds.

EPA regional administrator Judith Enck said: "ENLACE has done outstanding work addressing the significant problems that plague the Cano Martin Pena.

"This planning process is designed to reduce water pollution and analyse how green infrastructure can be utilised in densely populated neighborhoods.

"It will also factor in the newer challenges created by climate change and intense flooding."

ENLACE will design a conceptual plan, including water quality improvements to the Cano Martin Pena and the incorporation of green infrastructure initiatives and mechanisms, for a new stormwater drainage system.

As part of the work, a participatory design process will be created that will analyse green infrastructure options for a densely populated area.

The agency is awarding grants ranging from $40,000 to $60,000 for projects taking place in areas that align with the 18 designated Urban Waters Federal Partnership locations.