News Flash

Stormwater Runoff from a City Facility Parking Lot Diverted to a Natural Bioretention Cell

Construction is now underway to help improve water quality in Durham’s Ellerbe Creek watershed using a natural bioretention cell being built at a City of Durham facility.

The City’s Public Works Department has begun construction on this bioretention cell as part of their 2020 Stormwater Infrastructure Repairs (SD-2020-02) Project. The bioretention cell is located at the City’s General Services Department, located at 2011 Fay St. Once the bioretention cell is complete in fall 2020, stormwater runoff from 0.85 acres of the building parking lot will be captured and filtered through specialized soil and plants. This will help to improve water quality in the Ellerbe Creek watershed by reducing pollutants such as nitrogen, phosphorus, bacteria, and sediment.

Bioretention cells are one type of green stormwater infrastructure that protect, restore or mimic the natural water cycle. The City’s Public Works Department works to incorporate green stormwater infrastructure such as this one into City projects through grants and research projects, partnerships with local organizations, and by working with other City departments.

For more information on this and other green stormwater infrastructure projects around Durham, visit the City’s green stormwater infrastructure webpage. For information about the Fay Street Bioretention Project, contact Senior Engineer Megan Walsh with the City’s Public Works Department at (919) 560-4326, ext. 30220 or by email.

About the Public Works Department Stormwater and GIS Services Division

The Stormwater and GIS Services Division with the City of Durham Public Works Department is guided by the City’s Strategic Plan goals of stewardship of the City’s physical and environmental assets and innovative and high-performing organization. Activities include storm drainage design and plans review; inspecting and maintaining City-owned drainage systems; enforcing stormwater ordinances and regulations; education and outreach; stream monitoring, restoration, and watershed master planning; maintaining multiple layers of the City’s geographic information; and stormwater billing. To learn more, follow on Facebook and Twitter.