Environmental Protection Agency to fund projects to reduce stormwater pollution

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will provide research grants of up to $3m for projects studying green techniques to reduce stormwater pollution in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US.

EPA is providing the funds under its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) programme to further the city’s Green City, Clean Waters project.

The funds will be used by the city to address the overflow of stormwater into the local sewer systems and subsequent pollution of lakes, streams, and rivers.

Scope of green stormwater infrastructure projects include developing green roofs, streets lined with trees, porous pavements, grassy swales and other features to deflect the stormwater before it enters into the sewer systems, polluting the local rivers and streams.

"This funding will help the city quantify the benefits of thinking outside the pipe, and create a living laboratory of green infrastructure," commented EPA regional administrator Shawn M Garvin.

The agency will also fund up to $1m of research projects to examine the performance and effectiveness of the green stormwater infrastructure in the city.

The research projects will focus on the early benefits, long-term effectiveness and economic feasibility of green infrastructure.

It will also evaluate other financing mechanisms, quantify the benefits to the city’s neighboring cities and communities, and develop strategies to adopt green infrastructure.

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Image: US city of Philadelphia will use the grants from EPA to study research projects to reduce stormwater overflow in to rivers and lakes. Photo: ??????? ????.