D1 - Green Infrastructure of Water Quality on Reservoirs

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Ted Blahnik, P.E.
Williams Creek Consulting

Abstract

This presentation will look at how Green Infrastructure Best Management Practices (GI BMPs) are being used for water quality improvement on land adjacent to drinking water reservoirs. The majority of area immediately adjacent the O’Shaugnessey, Grigges, and Hoover Reservoirs which supply drinking water to Columbus, Ohio have been developed over the years as active public park land. As such mowed turf grass and large parking lots have become predominant landscape features resulting in eroding shorelines, undercut banks and increased direct stormwater discharges. Combined with the development of housing, roads, and other infrastructure surrounding the reservoirs, large volumes of stormwater runoff and associated nonpoint source pollution are further compromising the water quality of the drinking water reservoirs.

The City of Columbus received $4.5M in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 funding to improve and protect water quality and safety of the three drinking water reservoirs through GI BMPs improvements such as bioretention, pervious pavements, rain gardens and restoration efforts. The GI BMPs improvement projects will serve the dual purpose of water quantity and quality control, and public park landscape and safety improvement.

Utilizing its extensive ecological engineering experience, Williams Creek is the technical design authority completing the analysis, project prioritization, cost estimation, engineering design and construction oversight for FAST-TRACKED schedule. The engineering design documents for 14 separate project sites will be completed and approved for bid in 4 months. The goal is to complete construction of all 14 projects in an additional 3 months.

This presentation will outline the approach, design and expected outcomes of the 14 separate project sites using GI BMPs for the drinking water reservoirs.