MEDWAY, MA––Charles River Watershed Association and Town of Medway have completed designs for green stormwater infrastructure at Medway High School and Middle School to restore river health and make Medway more resilient to climate change.
“These green stormwater infrastructure projects will help Medway bring nature back into our built environment and allow these natural processes to work for us,” says Stephanie Carlisle, Sustainability Coordinator for the Town of Medway Department of Public Services.
Stormwater pollution is one of the greatest threats to a clean Charles River. When it rains or snows, water runs off roofs, sidewalks, driveways, and roads—all the impervious surfaces that make up Medway’s built environment—picking up pollution along the way and conveying it straight into the Charles River. This polluted runoff degrades the ecosystem—contributing to invasive species growth and fueling toxic cyanobacteria blooms. Additionally, as the climate changes, Medway is expected to see more frequent, severe storms, heat waves, and drought. Impervious surfaces exacerbate these impacts––causing flooding, urban heat island effect, and depleting Medway’s groundwater which residents rely on for drinking water.
“Across the watershed, municipalities are taking unprecedented action to retain their rain and reduce stormwater pollution. The investments we make over the next fifteen years are critical for securing a clean swimmable river for the next generation,” says Max Rome, Stormwater Program Manager at Charles River Watershed Association.
Green stormwater infrastructure, or urban design solutions that mimic the natural water cycle, promises to curb stormwater pollution, build climate resilience, and restore our shared environment. The proposed plan will construct two types––rain gardens and infiltration chambers––at Medway High School and Middle School.
