OAR

Organization for the Assabet River
9 Damon Mill Square
Suite 1E
Concord, MA 01742

Tel: 978-369-3956
Email: oar@assabetriver.org

 
Groundwater Recharge Projects

[ Main Intel Fund | LID Demonstration, Acton| Bolton | Hudson | Shrewsbury | Westborough | Funding | Learn More | Back to Main OAR ]

Low Impact Development (LID) Techniques for Stormwater Recharge: Demonstration at The Discovery Museums in Acton

An outdoor LID demonstration exhibit was installed at the Science Museum building. An educational brochure (High-res 3 MB) (Low-res 245 KB) describes the LID components and resources. This is an ideal location for homeowners, contractors and municipal staff to see LID in action. Also look for related exhibits and programs under the "Watersheds, Water Quality and You!" family education program sponsored by the Massachusetts Environmental Trust.

The outside demonstration exhibit contains:

  • Roof drainage connected to rain barrels which capture rainwater and store it for use in watering adjacent gardens, planters and grasspave.
  • A raingarden, which is a slightly depressed garden with native species of plants that captures runoff from surrounding areas. It holds water and allows it to seep slowly into the ground.

  • Grasspave, bordering the raingarden, which has a structure that provides load-bearing strength while protecting grass root systems from compaction. It also allows rainfall from storms to slowly sink into the ground instead of running off into storm drains and streams.


  • Pervious stone paving (Uni Eco-Stone), which has funnel-shaped openings that are filled with coarse gravel. This allows stormwater to percolate slowly into the ground rather than run off into storm drains and streams.




  • Gravelpave, used in the picnic area, which is a paving system designed to support heavy loads while letting water pass through it. The system uses a grid of open cups to contain and hold gravel in place.


     

    Method used: Roof drainage collected by rainbarrels and directed to raingarden; LID permeable paving systems used for grass, gravel and paved areas.

    Sub-watershed: Fort Pond Brook

    Recharge estimate: negligible

    Link to technologies page

    Intel grant: $56,570 for design and construction

    Location: 177 Main Street, Acton, MA 01720 www.discoverymuseums.org

    Contact: Denise LeBlanc, Education Director Tel: 978-264-4200

    This was a joint project of Acton Citizens for Environmental Safety (ACES) and The Discovery Museums. Design and construction was by GeoSyntec Consultants Inc., Acton, MA.

    “Water is a precious resource, but we take it for granted in New England. Projects like these show that everybody can have a positive impact.”

    Robert Golledge, Commissioner, Mass. Department of Environmental Protection

    Keynote Address, LID Demonstration Opening Ceremony
    .

     

    		•
    Using rainwater in the rain garden
    Pervious stone on the walkway

    Gravelpave in the picnic area

    All photos: The Discovery Museums
    Groundwater recharge projects
     

    July 10, 2006

     Floral Street School, Shrewsbury DPW Office, Westborough Chery Street, Hudson Bolton Public Library LID, Acton Discovery Museums