Waynesboro, Va., Initiates Storm Water Cleanup

The city of Waynesboro, Va., has opened a man-made wetland area that’s designed to filter polluted storm water before it reaches the South River.

Three hundred acres drain into the wetland, which is designed so that water flows through slowly and circuitously. That allows for pollutants such as phosphorous and nitrogen to settle or get absorbed by vegetation. The City-owned site, originally home to a detention pond, includes native plants and cascading ponds.

Trafford McRae, Waynesboro’s storm water manager, said the project aims to prevent the loss of biodiversity in the river and algal blooms downstream in the Chesapeake Bay. 

The newspaper reports the $1.7-million construction project was completed in November. It was funded through state grants and low-interest loans to the City.

Source: The Washington Times