According to Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper, a recent porous street demonstration project has been a success (see back story). After the test street’s first winter, Riverkeeper is reporting that the porous asphalt on Clarendon Place not only drains properly under normal conditions, the slush and snow melt also drains efficiently. That’s good news for those who have been looking for effective ways to eliminate stormwater from the combined sewage overflow (CSO) system.
The project that we see here, in collaboration with The Buffalo Sewer Authority, also includes the implementation of rain gardens in both commercial and residential neighborhoods. Strategic placement of these water retention features (see map) are intended to keep stormwaters from entering into Gala Waters (Hoyt Lake) and Scajaquada Creek. Riverkeeper has posted a series of contrasting images on it website (also seen here), in order to show examples of the demonstration project in action.
The Green Innovation Grant Program is funded through the United States Environmental Protection Agency and was submitted jointly by Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper.
Parkdale Avenue – Rain Gardens
Elmwood Avenue – Bioretention Planters
Windsor Avenue – Rain Gardens
Clarendon Place – Pervious Pavement