To curb urban flooding, the city of Madison, Wisconsin is offering residents of one West Side neighborhood up to $1,000 to install rain gardens, porous pavement and other features to keep water out of storm sewers.
These efforts are part of a green infrastructure pilot study which focuses on the area around Westmorland Park. The program is a response to urban flooding following big rainstorms in 2017 and 2018.
In addition to executing a project to replace aging water, sewer and storm sewer pipes under Topfer Avenue and adjoining streets, the city plans to: install pervious pavement; stormwater terraces to collect runoff in the area between streets and sidewalks; and rock cribs that function like underground collection basins.
Madison is also offering reimbursement for similar improvements on private property within the 605-home study area, reported the Wisconsin State Journal. The city seeks to increase infiltration by about 6 million gallons per year.
The city will reimburse property owners for 80% of up to $1,000 in costs to install qualifying projects. This includes pervious pavement, stormwater terraces, rock cribs and rain barrels that are approved by the engineering department. Those who do the work themselves are eligible for 110% reimbursement with a cap of $1,000, added the Wisconsin State Journal.
The city will hold a virtual public meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday June 10, 2020, to provide more information on the project. Visit go.captimes.com/green-infrastructure to register.
Researchers with the U.S. Geological Survey will evaluate the efficiency of the measures in reducing the amount of water in downstream pipes. They will also determine how well bodies of water impaired by urban development can ever revert to natural conditions, added the Wisconsin State Journal.
