Rain Garden

Environmental Bio Class

Problem- RunoffProblem- Runoff

Water that runs off land during precipitation and snowmelt

Runs off land instead of soaking into the ground

Collects pollution from cars, pesticides, fertilizers, and many other sources

Collect in local water sources and storm drains, contaminating them

Water that runs off land during precipitation and snowmelt

Runs off land instead of soaking into the ground

Collects pollution from cars, pesticides, fertilizers, and many other sources

Collect in local water sources and storm drains, contaminating them

Point Source PollutionPoint Source Pollution

Point source of pollution is a single identifiable localized source of air, water, thermal, noise or light pollution. A point source has negligible extent, distinguishing it from other pollution source geometries

Point source of pollution is a single identifiable localized source of air, water, thermal, noise or light pollution. A point source has negligible extent, distinguishing it from other pollution source geometries

Nonpoint Source PollutionNonpoint Source Pollution

Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution is water pollution affecting a water body from diffuse sources, such as polluted runoff from agricultural areas draining into a river, or wind-borne debris blowing out to sea. Nonpoint source pollution can be contrasted with point source pollution, where discharges occur to a body of water at a single location, such as discharges from a chemical factory, urban runoff from a roadway storm drain, or from ships at sea

Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution is water pollution affecting a water body from diffuse sources, such as polluted runoff from agricultural areas draining into a river, or wind-borne debris blowing out to sea. Nonpoint source pollution can be contrasted with point source pollution, where discharges occur to a body of water at a single location, such as discharges from a chemical factory, urban runoff from a roadway storm drain, or from ships at sea

Effect of the ProblemEffect of the ProblemIf stormwater runs over streets and gets

into sources of water it can:Sedimentation smothers aquatic life and

inhibits drinking water purification systemsNitrogen causes buildup of ammonia that kills

fishPhosphorus fertilizers cause algae growth

which suck up oxygenBacterial peaks is harmful for human health

Also, with water running into streets and open waters, no water is retained undergroundEssential for people that use wells as water

sourceDug deeper if less water

If stormwater runs over streets and gets into sources of water it can:Sedimentation smothers aquatic life and

inhibits drinking water purification systemsNitrogen causes buildup of ammonia that kills

fishPhosphorus fertilizers cause algae growth

which suck up oxygenBacterial peaks is harmful for human health

Also, with water running into streets and open waters, no water is retained undergroundEssential for people that use wells as water

sourceDug deeper if less water

What is it?What is it?

Gardens that are designed to soak up rainwater and save millions of gallonsDrains off of roads, roofs, driveways, lawns,

etc.

Looks like regular gardens that contain flowers and other forms of vegetation

Performs phytoremediationAbility of plants to utilize many of the

pollutants and the ground naturally filters out the rest

Gardens that are designed to soak up rainwater and save millions of gallonsDrains off of roads, roofs, driveways, lawns,

etc.

Looks like regular gardens that contain flowers and other forms of vegetation

Performs phytoremediationAbility of plants to utilize many of the

pollutants and the ground naturally filters out the rest

How it worksHow it works

When it rains, garden fills with waterFilters into the ground instead of

running off to storm drains or nearby streams

Rain garden soaks up to 30% more water

Adds beauty to habitat

When it rains, garden fills with waterFilters into the ground instead of

running off to storm drains or nearby streams

Rain garden soaks up to 30% more water

Adds beauty to habitat

PlanningPlanning

Pick a locationRelatively flat or has a slight slopeMust have good drainage so water

can soak within 24hrs after rainfallShould be at least 10ft away from any

buildingsGood amount of sunlightAvoid areas over a septic system

Pick a locationRelatively flat or has a slight slopeMust have good drainage so water

can soak within 24hrs after rainfallShould be at least 10ft away from any

buildingsGood amount of sunlightAvoid areas over a septic system

PlanningPlanning

Size Size of area draining into it Types of soils on the site

Sand, silt, or clay Clay is hard to work with since it doesn’t allow water to

flow Depth of garden

Typically 100-300 square feet 3-8 inches deep

Ours is 5 inches Slope

<4% so preferable was 3-5 inches deep

Size Size of area draining into it Types of soils on the site

Sand, silt, or clay Clay is hard to work with since it doesn’t allow water to

flow Depth of garden

Typically 100-300 square feet 3-8 inches deep

Ours is 5 inches Slope

<4% so preferable was 3-5 inches deep

PlanningPlanning Percolation tests Soil tests Develop shape of garden Allocate space for certain plants Make plant and flower choices Calculate costs for rain garden

Was about $1000 estimated, but greatly reduced thanks to donations and aid from our neighbors

Split into committees that are education, fundraising, and construction

Calendar of goals and tasks to be achieved at certain dates Mid March to Early May

Percolation tests Soil tests Develop shape of garden Allocate space for certain plants Make plant and flower choices Calculate costs for rain garden

Was about $1000 estimated, but greatly reduced thanks to donations and aid from our neighbors

Split into committees that are education, fundraising, and construction

Calendar of goals and tasks to be achieved at certain dates Mid March to Early May

Example Calendar (Construction)

Example Calendar (Construction)

PlantsPlants

Should be variety of heights, textures, and bloom times

Tolerable in both wet and dry conditions

Suited to garden’s sun/shade exposure

Indigenous to state

Should be variety of heights, textures, and bloom times

Tolerable in both wet and dry conditions

Suited to garden’s sun/shade exposure

Indigenous to state

Education GroupEducation Group Objective: To inform and educate people of all

ages of what a rain garden is, stress the importance of clean water, and to spread the word of reducing water pollution

We have completed an informative brochure Manage the wiki

www.envirobiotech-raingarden.pbwiki.com Currently working on a poster

Informative and grabs attention Presentation to classes/groups

To interest them in the rain garden The future of the garden relies on you when picking

electives

Objective: To inform and educate people of all ages of what a rain garden is, stress the importance of clean water, and to spread the word of reducing water pollution

We have completed an informative brochure Manage the wiki

www.envirobiotech-raingarden.pbwiki.com Currently working on a poster

Informative and grabs attention Presentation to classes/groups

To interest them in the rain garden The future of the garden relies on you when picking

electives

Education GroupEducation GroupOur wiki

Keeps us updatedAs well as a way to post our progress

Keep people in touch and know what each group is doing at the moment

Serves as a way to spread information about the rain garden

Also a tool used to communicate to other schools that have a rain garden and a wiki

Communicated with bioengineering class for ideas of design of the garden

Our wikiKeeps us updated

As well as a way to post our progressKeep people in touch and know what each

group is doing at the momentServes as a way to spread information

about the rain gardenAlso a tool used to communicate to

other schools that have a rain garden and a wiki

Communicated with bioengineering class for ideas of design of the garden

Fundraising GroupFundraising Group

Objective: Raise necessary funds to build a garden by public appeal to organizations or private requests for contributions

Sent letters to 10 donor organizationsReceived supply of plants from Native

Plants Society of NJHelped pick plants for the garden

Received monetary help for the construction of the rain garden

Assisted in construction of the rain garden

Objective: Raise necessary funds to build a garden by public appeal to organizations or private requests for contributions

Sent letters to 10 donor organizationsReceived supply of plants from Native

Plants Society of NJHelped pick plants for the garden

Received monetary help for the construction of the rain garden

Assisted in construction of the rain garden

Communication with Outside Groups

Communication with Outside Groups

We promoted our rain garden via the morning announcements

Stayed in contact with the organizations

Communicate with teachers for donations such as soil, shovels, etc.

Presented to the BTHS PSFAOffered a grant for our project

We promoted our rain garden via the morning announcements

Stayed in contact with the organizations

Communicate with teachers for donations such as soil, shovels, etc.

Presented to the BTHS PSFAOffered a grant for our project

Construction GroupConstruction Group

Objective: research, lab testing, design and the execution of said design for the construction of the BTHS rain garden. We are responsible for determining materials needed and collaborate with other groups, the BioEngineering Class of BTHS, the career center, and the Rutger's Agricultural Center

Objective: research, lab testing, design and the execution of said design for the construction of the BTHS rain garden. We are responsible for determining materials needed and collaborate with other groups, the BioEngineering Class of BTHS, the career center, and the Rutger's Agricultural Center

Construction GroupConstruction GroupPicked three potential locations

Ran the percolation test to determine which site was ideal

Percolation Test- process in which an 8 inch hole was dug and filled with water to saturate soil; if water is gone after an hour, it indicates soil is loosely packed and is suitable for the rain garden to collect water

Poor draining would require amending the soil or another siteSandy- compost added directly to the dug out areaClay- break up soil with rototiller to improve drainage and

sand could be added if necessary

Picked three potential locationsRan the percolation test to determine which site was

idealPercolation Test- process in which an 8 inch hole was

dug and filled with water to saturate soil; if water is gone after an hour, it indicates soil is loosely packed and is suitable for the rain garden to collect water

Poor draining would require amending the soil or another siteSandy- compost added directly to the dug out areaClay- break up soil with rototiller to improve drainage and

sand could be added if necessary

Site SelectionsSite Selections

Site SelectionSite SelectionSoil Testing Data Soil samples were taken from each of the three sites The soil was filtered into components  The results were used to determine the best site

Site 1 contains the most optimal conditions for the rain garden More testing currently in progress 

Percolation Testing Procedure 1-Foot-deep holes were dug in each of the three sites Each hole was filled with water The holes were allowed to sit for an hour Amounts of drainage were observed

Site 1-Almost full drainage into the soil after 1 hour Site 2-Mostly drained after 1 hourSite 3- No drainage after 1 hour

Soil Testing Data Soil samples were taken from each of the three sites The soil was filtered into components  The results were used to determine the best site

Site 1 contains the most optimal conditions for the rain garden More testing currently in progress 

Percolation Testing Procedure 1-Foot-deep holes were dug in each of the three sites Each hole was filled with water The holes were allowed to sit for an hour Amounts of drainage were observed

Site 1-Almost full drainage into the soil after 1 hour Site 2-Mostly drained after 1 hourSite 3- No drainage after 1 hour

Percolation TestsPercolation Tests

1 2 3

Our GardenOur Garden

LocationNear the parking lotGrassy hill has inclineParking lot has incline to edge In case of flooding, sewage drain is

there

LocationNear the parking lotGrassy hill has inclineParking lot has incline to edge In case of flooding, sewage drain is

there

Construction GroupConstruction Group Obtained blue prints of the land

Check for pipes and other inconveniences Made a scale model of our rain garden Chose location for plants After the site was picked

Performed water testsFor ammonia and nitrates- harmful things

Created a materials list Best ones for the lowest cost

With the help of the bioengineering class Chose a model for the rain garden

Kept in constant contact with Dr. Sciarappa Rutgers University expert in environmental studies

Obtained blue prints of the land Check for pipes and other inconveniences

Made a scale model of our rain garden Chose location for plants After the site was picked

Performed water testsFor ammonia and nitrates- harmful things

Created a materials list Best ones for the lowest cost

With the help of the bioengineering class Chose a model for the rain garden

Kept in constant contact with Dr. Sciarappa Rutgers University expert in environmental studies

Construction Materials ListConstruction Materials List

Water Testing ResultsWater Testing Results

Nitrates- Not presentChlorine- Free Chorine

.1 mg/LTotal Chlorine

.1 mg/LpH 6Ammonia- 0.2 mg/L

Nitrates- Not presentChlorine- Free Chorine

.1 mg/LTotal Chlorine

.1 mg/LpH 6Ammonia- 0.2 mg/L

CalculationsCalculationsRain Garden DimensionsPerimeter

94 (3ft)Sidewalk594 (18ft) Stop Sign End3538 (116ft) Side3538 (116ft) Side

7719 cm 77.19 m253.8 ftSlope

270 (8.8ft) Width9 (0.2ft) Downhill Height9 / 270 X 100 = 3.3%

These show that the rain garden should be 3 to 5 inches deep

Rain Garden DimensionsPerimeter

94 (3ft)Sidewalk594 (18ft) Stop Sign End3538 (116ft) Side3538 (116ft) Side

7719 cm 77.19 m253.8 ftSlope

270 (8.8ft) Width9 (0.2ft) Downhill Height9 / 270 X 100 = 3.3%

These show that the rain garden should be 3 to 5 inches deep

Soil Testing ResultsSoil Testing Results

pH 6.5Nitrogen

N3 - SufficientPhosphorous

P2 – Adequate

pH 6.5Nitrogen

N3 - SufficientPhosphorous

P2 – Adequate

ConstructionConstruction

With the help of Career Center, the ground was broken in with a rototiller

From there, we’ve dug 5 inches deepSoil that was dug up would be

collected by the Career CenterPlanting is in process

With the help of Career Center, the ground was broken in with a rototiller

From there, we’ve dug 5 inches deepSoil that was dug up would be

collected by the Career CenterPlanting is in process

Impact of Our ProjectImpact of Our Project

For now, we would have a beautiful-looking garden that makes our parking lot look better and our school look like we have green thumbs.

In the long run, millions of gallons of water would be saved. Also, we could see animals interact and utilize the garden. Lastly, we got you to know about gardens and can hopefully care for it in years to come.

For now, we would have a beautiful-looking garden that makes our parking lot look better and our school look like we have green thumbs.

In the long run, millions of gallons of water would be saved. Also, we could see animals interact and utilize the garden. Lastly, we got you to know about gardens and can hopefully care for it in years to come.

Any Questions? (1 more slide left…yes!)

Any Questions? (1 more slide left…yes!)

Some Fun For You NowSome Fun For You Now

Helping us plant various plantsTour of an established rain garden

Helping us plant various plantsTour of an established rain garden

Thank You For Listening!!!Thank You For Listening!!!