By Joyce Kryszak
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-969859.mp3
Tonawanda, NY – The soggy spring Western New York is having is placing a heavy burden on municipal storm and sanitary sewer systems. Tonawanda officials hope to relieve some of that burden in their town with a program Tuesday night that will educate residents about storm water management.
Flooded basements and saturated yards have been familiar problems for folks living in Tonawanda - even in year's with normal rainfall. The historic difficulties can be blamed on poor house and drainage designs, poor absorbent clay soils, and aging infrastructure.
But the town is taking steps to correct at least some of that with a $30 million sewer project. Tom Heresy is chairman of the Tonawanda Commission for Conservation of the Environment. He said that is only part of the solution.
"It's a series of things. It's going to be an investment of a lot of money in new and better infrastructure. It's going to be an education effort and a commitment on behalf of our residents to help protect that investment," said Heresy.
Residents attending the program will learn how they can help manage storm water run-off around their homes. Heresy said rain barrels and rain gardens are two ways people can make a big difference.
"We're going to talk about how to design those things, how to get that water away from your foundation, how to look at rain barrels, which are a key way of, not only keeping that water out of going downstream, but it's also a great way to save on potable, drinkable, clean water that doesn't need to be used to water plants," said heresy. "Nor do we need to pay for water to water plants if we can conserve rain water and use that through a rain barrel."
A town official will give residents an overview of the town's current stormwater projects. And Mary Rossi with the Western New York Stormwater Coalition will provide guidance and information about how to redirect and manage rainwater.
The program is at 7:00 PM Tuesday night in the Community Room of the Philip Sheridan Building at 3200 Elmwood Avenue in Tonawanda.