Grantee Research Project Results

2014 Progress Report: Next Generation Volume Reduction Green Infrastructure Stormwater Control Measures in Support of Philadelphia's Green City Clean Waters Initiative

EPA Grant Number: R835556
Title: Next Generation Volume Reduction Green Infrastructure Stormwater Control Measures in Support of Philadelphia's Green City Clean Waters Initiative
Investigators: Traver, Robert , Clayton, Garrett M , Eisenman, Sasha W , Welker, Andrea , Wadzuk, Bridget , Sen, Siddhartha
Current Investigators: Traver, Robert , Welker, Andrea , Wadzuk, Bridget , Clayton, Garrett M , Eisenman, Sasha W , Sen, Siddhartha , Sanders, Tonya , Hunter, James , Smith, Virginia , Shin, Hyeon-Shic
Institution: Villanova University , Morgan State University , Temple University
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: September 1, 2013 through August 31, 2017 (Extended to August 31, 2018)
Project Period Covered by this Report: September 1, 2013 through August 31,2014
Project Amount: $1,000,000
RFA: Performance and Effectiveness of Green Infrastructure Stormwater Management Approaches in the Urban Context: A Philadelphia Case Study (2012) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Watersheds , Water

Objective:

In partnership with the Philadelphia Water Department, this project is focused on green infrastructure stormwater control measures (GI SCMs) to evaluate their performance and inform future designs in support of Philadelphia's Green City, Clean Waters program. The four project tasks are described in brief below.

Task 1: Evaluate the current generation of GI SCMs to develop, design and validate the next generation of GI SCMs

Task 2: Evaluate benefits of GI SCMs to neighborhoods

Task 3: Develop a collaborative research environment for GI within the Philadelphia community

Task 4: Disseminate results and enhance Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education

Progress Summary:

Significant progress has been achieved over the reported period, and the PI and co-PIs are confident to meet all goals and accomplishments of the project. Project activities during grant year one were focused primarily on Task 1. Under the proposed activities for Task 1, several subtasks were identified including the prioritization of GI research needs, selection and instrumentation of sites, and development of sensors. Working closely with Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), GI research needs were prioritized. Research topics of high value to PWD's green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) program were identified. Also in close collaboration with PWD, potential monitoring sites were evaluated, and Phase I (current generation) monitoring sites were selected. The three selected monitoring sites are located within the city of Philadelphia and represent three types of GSI designs commonly utilized by PWD, namely a planter (Roosevelt Playground), tree trench (Morris Leeds), and rain garden (Bridesburg Recreation Center).

Retrofitting existing sites with monitoring instrumentation presents a challenge related to wiring of sensors to a primary data logger and power. Our team is tackling these challenges by developing low-cost sensor technology that uses wireless communications. Thus, wiring requirements and site disturbance are reduced. The development of low-cost sensor technology was anticipated for inclusion with Phase II monitoring (next generation) but has been advanced by necessity for inclusion in Phase I monitoring initiatives. Developed sensors and off-the-shelf sensors are included in integrated monitoring plans developed for each of the three selected monitoring sites.

Villanova is fostering a collaborative GI research environment in the Philadelphia community (Task 3) through work with other U.S. EPA STAR grant teams and volunteering to manage a central data repository for the grant teams, amongst other activities.

We are excited about STEM outreach activities (Task 4). Immediately adjacent to the sites selected for monitoring, there are excellent candidates for STEM outreach activities, including local schools, after-school programs and summer camps. Communications were initiated with STEM candidates regarding the integration/augmentation of monitoring activities and STEM curriculum for students (Task 4).

Future Activities:

Over the subsequent reporting period, the primary objectives will be to advance activities on all project tasks, especially related to instrumenting the sites, collecting/analyzing data and engaging in STEM educational outreach activities.

Journal Articles:

No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 19 publications for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

Watersheds, sustainable development, cost-benefit, engineering, Pennsylvania (PA), EPA Region 3, green infrastructure, stormwater management, urban green space

Relevant Websites:

Villanova Center for the Advancement of Sustainability in Engineering (VCASE) Exit Exit
Villanova Urban Stormwater Project Exit Exit
REACH System

Progress and Final Reports:

Original Abstract

The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.