Alleviating Storm Water Runoff at PS5

We're almost there! Because we're doing such a great job and ioby and Sustainable Jersey City very much want this project to happen, ioby granted our team an extension into the fall. Stay tuned for more!

The PS#5 Eco-Cougars, in collaboration with the Rutgers University's Water Resource Program and Sustainable Jersey City, want to tackle environmental issues affecting our community as well as raise awareness on how these issues can be addressed. The 8th graders are currently researching water conservation and the importance of protecting our waterways and would like to make our school an example by implementing green infrastructure and water management strategies. Specifically, we are planning on harvesting approximately 14% of rainwater from the roof using stormwater planters in the front of the school and a catchment system on the roof to direct water into a 300 gallon tank to water the existing raised bed gardens.

1. Get permit for water catchment system on roof.
2. Procure materials for roof catchment system and planters.
3. Contractor to construct.
4. Install systems and signage.
5. Kids decorate tank.
6. Kids and community maintain plants in planters.

Flooding is a major concern in our area. Throughout the years, we have noticed how water pools around our school and makes it extremely difficult to walk to school during a rain storm. Like many cities in the United States, Jersey City uses a very old combined sewer system to dispose of both sewer and rain water.  During rain events the sewer system overflows, such as is the case around school, flooding occurs and non-point sources of pollution are then sent into our water ways. We see green infrastructure as a low cost solution to keeping the rainwater from flowing into the sewers.

For more information on how Sustainable Jersey City is working with ioby, click here.