Green infrastructure initiatives are underway at NEW Water, the brand of the Green Bay Metropolitan Sewerage District, offset in part by grant funding.
NEW Water used a $28,900 grant from the Fund for Lake Michigan to develop a Green Infrastructure Implementation Plan, identifying green initiative projects to pursue on its properties, including:
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A permeable parking lot that was installed at its Green Bay Facility. Environmental benefits include reduction in runoff; filtering of pollutants; replenishment of local groundwater supplies.
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A prairie restoration being established at its Green Bay Facility. NEW Water is converting a 1.2 acre-grassed area into a native prairie. The project is partially funded by a $1,200 grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for native seed purchase. Turf is replaced with low-maintenance, high ecological value plants.
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NEW Water planted 85 trees at its Green Bay and De Pere Facility sites as well as in the watersheds of Ashwaubenon and Dutchman Creeks, supported by $16,250 in U.S. Forest Service grants. Trees increase canopy cover for stormwater absorption and cooling.
NEW Water has identified both short-term and long-term green infrastructure projects at its Green Bay and De Pere facilities, as well as at meter stations in the service area.
Additional identified projects include: bioswales to capture and treat runoff; riparian restoration to stabilize shorelines with vegetation and improve fish/wildlife habitat; green roofs to reduce runoff and extend roof life; rain harvesting to store roof runoff for reuse.