Mississippi State University wins EPA Rain Catcher Award

Mississippi State University received the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) regional 2014 Neighborhood/Community Rain Catcher Award, which was presented Wednesday at the EPA Region 4/International Erosion Control Association Municipal Wet Weather Stormwater Conference in Atlanta.

The award recognized the Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum’s rain garden program in Starkville, Mississippi, which was designed and implemented by the university’s students and faculty with the help of community volunteers. The award represents an achievement in stormwater green infrastructure, meaning the garden uses natural systems to manage stormwater and reduce receiving water impacts.

Specifically, the rain garden project included construction of a public pavilion with a green roof, transforming unused parking into a grassy area, installing a swale, cistern and sand filter and posting educational signage. The project was implemented by more than 200 students from six areas of study.

The EPA is a staunch supporter of green infrastructure due to its ability to mitigate the effects of weather pollution. Dealing with high levels of rainwater where it falls, green infrastructure reduces stormwater discharges and often removes pollutants from runoff, making for better water quality.