U.S. EPA Awards Kansas City, Mo., More Than $1.4 Million

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $1,474,500 to the Kansas City, Mo., Water Services Department to replace or relocate drinking water mains, sanitary sewers and storm water sewers as part of the Beacon Hill Redevelopment Project, located west of Bruce R. Watkins Drive from 22nd Street to 27th Street. The project will include green storm water infrastructure such as an underground detention basin, bioretention cells and rain gardens.EPA Region 7 Administrator John Askew said, "These green innovations will help to ensure our water resources and water infrastructure systems are clean, safe and sustainable for our families, children and grandchildren. Reusing water such as storm water, whether through bio-retention cells or rain gardens, is an effective strategy."Bioretention cells and rain gardens are small landscaped, graded areas that are constructed with a special soil mix that can absorb and filter runoff. Low-maintenance, water-tolerant plants are used often in these rain gardens. These landscaping elements aid in reducing storm water runoff, removing pollutants and replenishing the aquifer.This grant complements EPA's broader sustainability initiative and will help to reduce storm water before it reaches the city's storm water system. The project will maximize storm water infiltration, reduce pollutants from runoff, improve water quality and promote plant diversity.