BY GERRY HERTZLER
Special to The Elkhart Truth
GOSHEN -- Nature's version of a wastewater treatment plant -- a rain garden -- was planted June 27 at the north side of Goshen Public Library's new parking lot.
Volunteers comprising master naturalists and members of the library's summer reading program and Historic Southside Neighborhood Association used trowels and shovels to plant nearly 500 plugs and plants of varying species and sizes.
A $10,000 grant helped fund the 1,800-square-foot rain garden and install a section of pervious concrete, which allows water to drain through it.
Eric Kurtz, stormwater coordinator with Elkhart County Soil and Water Conservation District, said the project was pursued to demonstrate new methods of dealing with stormwater.
"A healthy wetlands performs the same function as a wastewater treatment plant," said Chris Kline of JF New, Walkerton, an ecological consulting firm with a native plant nursery.
Kline said rain gardens are particularly important in communities such as Goshen where stormwater and sewer systems are combined.
"When there is a rain event -- sometimes as little as half an inch of rain -- the storm system flushes the sanitary sewer system and untreated raw sewage is dumped right into the river," Kline said.
With the Environmental Protection Agency "taking a harder line" on combined sewer overflow systems, Kline said rain gardens help reduce the amount of stormwater flowing into the system and also provide an aesthetic benefit.
He said rain gardens use native plants because they occur naturally in a region, are adaptable and drought-resistant, have pest and disease tolerance, and support wildlife habitats. Additionally, Kline said the root depths of native plants are 12 to 15 feet as compared to several inches of turf grass.
Even the foliage of the plants helps capture rain, while the root masses help prevent soil erosion and filter the water, Kline said. Also, the roots provide pathways for channeling water into the ground, while turf grass is almost like a hard surface.
"Rain gardens are not an open pool or a breeding ground for mosquitoes," Kline said. "They are designed to hold a certain amount of water for a fairly short amount of time."
The structures require watering and weeding, particularly during the first two years, Kline said. Burning or mowing dead plant material may be required.
Kurtz said Karen Fairfield, a master naturalist who is a member of the neighborhood association, will maintain the library's new rain garden at 601 S. Fifth St. Volunteers may help with the work beginning at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 1. Maintenance work is planned the first Saturday of each month.
How-to manual
A manual to assist homeowners in building rain gardens is available from the Elkhart County Soil and Water Conservation District, 17746-B, C.R. 34, Goshen. The manual explains how to construct a rain garden and also offers planting designs and planting lists for different locations.
For more information visit www.stormwaterelkco.org or www.elkcoswcd.org, call the SWCD is 533-3630, ext. 3, or e-mail stormwater coordinator Eric Kurtz at eric.kurtz@in.nacdnet.net.