Rain Gardens: A proposal by the Accept the Greener Challenge Club

Accept the Greener Challenge Club Created 5 years ago APES top 10 recommendations Reduce energy consumption Solar for heat and energy Cisterns and rain gardens 100 members (15% of student body)

Water Quality in the Ellerbe Watershed High levels of nitrogen and phosphorous lead to algae growth Algae depletes oxygen, killing the wildlife.

The Location of Ellerbe Creek Impervious surfaces are buildings and gray roads/walkways.

Rain Garden Proposal Corner of Hunt – catches 25% of water from Hunt roof 362 ft 2 – 6 in deep Total approximate cost for excavation, mulch, soil amendment (sand), and plants: $2,170 Partial cost we pay: $543

How Rain Gardens Work Water collects in rain gardens and is filtered through the soil. Lessens polluted runoff water that enters waterways.

Meeting Clean Water Requirements EPA requirements for the Falls Lake Watershed: 20% reduction in total nitrogen by % reduction by Proposed rain garden will remove:.28 lbs Nitrogen/year,.03 lbs Phosphorous/year

What We’re Asking Permission “No Cuts” called by Maintenance Excavation help from Grounds Long-term commitment Funding Options ~$543 needed for plants Possible funding to cover what a grant for 25% of total cost does not

Future Goals Implementation of additional rain gardens Cisterns on Hunt and PEC Control storm water runoff at NCSSM 42,230 gallons of storm water runs off Hunt roof each year Used to water and fertilize fields Creek Remediation Big Sweep-Ellerbe Creek clean-up Cool water entering creek from the boiler