The grant EPA grant project stems from a bigger initiative to help protect Massachusetts’s water resources. Projects that are in place to do this are: constructing storm-water treatment systems and educating the general public about the importance of protecting these resources. The aim of these projects is to improve infiltration and water quality by reducing storm water runoff through innovative technology.
This EPA grant project is centered on designing and installing innovative storm water infiltration projects on private and public properties in North Reading. Jonathan Lyon, Merrimack College professor, is the grant writer as well as the co-Principal investigator of the project. Four students are also involved with the project as they have designed and built rain gardens at several different locations, including the North Reading Common and the Hood Elementary School.
One portion of the grant consists of educating the public sector about storm water runoff and the pollutions that are present. The students, along with Jonathan recently displayed an educational exhibit and demonstration at North Reading’s annual Apple Festival on September 15. Janet Nicosia, co-chair of Martins Pond Association and co-investigator of the project was also present at the event. The students used watershed models to teach children about watersheds and runoff. The grant received funding starting in 2010 and will continue to run until 2013. In addition to the students pictured, 14 students have been involved in the grant including: Jackie Jones, Devon Robinson, Cassandra Summit, Alicia Cyr, Peter Kenyon, Robert Jackson, Chelsea Hildebrandt, Jessie Doiron, Kiley Home, Courtnee Barchus.
