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Implementing a Sustainable Stormwater Management Program in an Urban Center – Baltimore, Maryland. Catherine J. DiBlasi Dr. Neely Law, Dr. Upal Ghosh University of Maryland, Baltimore County Civil & Environmental Engineering. Chesapeake Bay. Chesapeake Bay Watershed 166,000 km 2.
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Implementing a Sustainable Stormwater Management Program in an Urban Center – Baltimore, Maryland Catherine J. DiBlasi Dr. Neely Law, Dr. Upal Ghosh University of Maryland, Baltimore County Civil & Environmental Engineering
Chesapeake Bay Chesapeake Bay Watershed 166,000 km2 • Eutrophication • Due to excess nutrient loading Urban Stormwater : 16 % of Phosphorous 11 % of Nitrogen 9 % of Sediment Loads to Chesapeake Bay (CBP 2006) Agriculture Urban landscape Wastewater treatment plants Photos: www.whrc.org, www.chesapeakebay.net
Baltimore, MD – Watershed 263 • 376 hectares • No flowing surface waters • Dry weather baseflow WS 263 Impervious Cover = 75 % Figures: Parks & People, Center for Watershed Protection
A Holistic Approach to Urban Stormwater Management • Address all sources and underlying causes • Community outreach • Improve water quality and quality of life Outfall 263 7.6 m diameter Photos: G. Hagar, Parks & People Foundation
Community Involvement • Creative Partnerships • Projects Schoolyard Greening Clean & Green Creating a community garden in a vacant lot. An example of a schoolyard greening project. Photos: Parks & People Foundation
Street Sweeping and Storm Drain Cleanouts • Limited Space • Limited Money Street Sweeping Storm Drain Cleanout Photos: Baltimore City DPW, Center for Watershed Protection
Paired Watershed Study Water quality monitoring station Catchment F 85 % dec. curb-km swept/week Catchment O 48 % inc. curb-km swept/week + storm drain cleanout Figure: www.cwp.org
WS 263 Field Monitoring Street Particulate Sampling Water Quality Monitoring Event Mean Concentration (EMC) = mass/volume Photos: U. Ghosh, K. Belt
Total Nitrogen n = 20-24 Sources: Baltimore City Department of Public Works – Water Quality Management Section (2006), Pitt et al. (2004).
Fecal Coliform Count n = 20-24 Sources: Baltimore City Department of Public Works – Water Quality Management Section (2006), Pitt et al. (2004).
Public Health Risk Photos: U. Ghosh
Lead - Dissolved and Total n = 20-24 Sources: Baltimore City Department of Public Works – Water Quality Management Section (2006), Pitt et al. (2004).
Ongoing Work • Risk assessment on particulate matter • Installation of > 100 • innovative stormwater • practices • Quality of life assessment
Conclusions • Need alternative approaches to nutrient reduction. • Health of the Bay depends on the cumulative benefit of all community-based watershed programs. • Community involvement and creative partnerships essential, WS 263 an excellent example.
Thank You Neely Law, CWP Project Manager Dr. Upal Ghosh, UMBC Civil & Environmental Engineering
Baseline Water Quality Data Median Values for Select Parameters Sources:1Baltimore City Department of Public Works – Water Quality Management Section (2006), 2Pitt et al. (2004).