Creation of model rain gardens in public facilities. The project was aimed at promoting solutions to increase water retention in the city
A rain garden is defined as the setting up of plants in soil with increased permeability, which collect rainwater from a much larger area than the garden itself. Thanks to rain gardens, less water flows from impermeable surfaces (pavements, streets, car parks, squares) into the sewerage system, which contributes to increasing the amount of water in the landscape, preventing the lowering of groundwater levels and local flooding during the course of heavy rainfall.
Although the rain garden is similar to an ordinary garden, special plants of wet meadows are planted there. Their roots or rhizomes help to purify water from dirt washed away from the hardened surface, such as heavy metals and protein and fat compounds. A properly selected substrate, on which the bacterial membrane develops, significantly reduces the level of contamination in the flowing water.
The substrate of a rain garden should be characterised by good permeability (e.g. coarse sands) and porosity (e.g. limestone, volcanic rocks). Meeting these two conditions together ensures efficient drainage of water from the garden surface and good operation of this small biological treatment plant.
Resources needed
To build rain gardens you need containers, sewage system elements and appropriate plants (for example: Carex flacca, Iris pseudacarus, Lythrum salicaria, Mentha aquatica).
The project was financed by the Regional Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in Lodz.
Evidence of success
The gardens were created in the following locations in the Łódzkie Region:
1) WI-MA Zone of alternative activities in the post-industrial area at 135 Piłsudskiego Street in Łódź. Two gardens.
2) Academic Centre for Artistic Initiatives. Łódź, 54/56 Zachodnia Street.
3) After-school Activities Centre No 2 in Łódź. Łódź, 3/5 Sopocka St. Two gardens.
4) The Social Welfare Centre of the Missionary Sisters. Łódź, ul. Struga 90 a.
5) The office of the On Me You Association. Bukowiec, Dolna 135
Potential for learning or transfer
The project can be replicated everywhere. Implementation requires a small amount of resources (including financial) and knowledge about the construction of rain gardens. The Sendzimir Foundation has developed leaflets, brochures and instructional videos showing how to make a rain garden so that anyone can do it.
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Tags: Action plan, Biology, Blue, Climate change, Education, Efficiency, Environment, Learning, Nature, Society, Water
