Capital Region Water has received a $125,000 grant from Pennsylvania's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to develop a green stormwater infrastructure plan for Harrisburg.
Green infrastructure is a broad term for trees, gardens, and other technologies that are designed to help reduce runoff, or stormwater, by absorbing rainwater. Capital Region Water will evaluate using green infrastructure to reduce the impacts of runoff on the Harrisburg community, the Susquehanna River and Paxton Creek, and the underground infrastructure it operates.
"Green infrastructure can help us reduce expenses, protect our local waterways, and bring valuable social and economic benefits to the community we serve," said Executive Director Shannon Williams.
Capital Region Water, the former Harrisburg Authority, is updating its long-term control plan to reduce overflows from the combined sewer system in Harrisburg. Built more than a century ago, combined sewer systems receive both rainwater and wastewater and are designed to overflow into receiving waters during large rainfall events instead of backing up into homes or businesses.
Harrisburg is among more than 700 cities across the United States that have a combined sewer system.
