School creates innovative solution to stormwater problem: 'Will capture and redirect runoff'

The town of South Orange in New Jersey has introduced a newly designed rain garden, bringing residents together while enhancing local water management efforts. Positioned behind the town's middle school, the garden serves as both an educational resource and an environmental safeguard.

Students have been actively involved, measuring how much rainwater the garden collects and learning to operate various monitoring tools. Last year, during the Rahway River Project, we discovered that rainwater from our streets and parking lots carries pollutants directly into the river, said eighth-grade student Emma Aylward. This garden isnt just decorative it functions as a living filter.

The rain garden is expected to protect the Rahway River from stormwater runoff and potential flooding. It has the capacity to capture approximately 250,000 gallons of stormwater annually. Kirk Barrett, president of the Rahway River Watershed Association and the engineer behind the project, explained, The rain garden intercepts runoff, allowing most of it to seep into the soil. This process traps pollutants, with purified water slowly flowing into the river. Were also installing devices to monitor water levels, and students will assist in gathering and analyzing data to measure captured runoff.

Beyond its immediate environmental benefits, the garden provides a model for sustainable landscaping within the community. Andy Stone, secretary of the Environmental Commission, emphasized that homeowners can replicate these efforts in their own yards to reduce flooding and maintenance. Incorporating native plants is particularly effective, as they naturally filter stormwater, minimize erosion, and thrive with minimal water and fertilizer. Such landscaping can save families up to $225 annually on water and $100 on fertilizers and pesticides.

Community members praised the project for its educational and ecological impact. Council member Olivia Lewis-Chang remarked, All life begins in water, making this rain garden vital to our environment. I encourage families to engage with their children and foster the next generation of environmental stewards.

Author: Sophia Brooks