$149,000 to aid stormwater runoff projects in Puerto Rico

The Environmental Protection Agency recently announced $149,000 in funding for green infrastructure in San Juan, Puerto Rico’s, Cano Martín Pena community that will improve the city’s water quality through reductions in stormwater runoff.

“EPA is pleased to provide much needed funding to this community in San Juan,” EPA Regional Administrator Judith Enck said. “This vibrant, densely populated community of 35,000 residents who live along the polluted canal will be able to use these resources to improve the economic and environmental conditions of where they live.”

Of the nearly $150,000 in funding, $80,000 will go toward green infrastructure design plans such as replacing paved areas with permeable surfaces to allow rain to soak into the ground. The remaining $69,000 will go toward creating a rain garden for the community, which will be studied to determine its effectiveness.

The EPA has awarded the funding to design firm Spackman Mossop Michaels, which will develop options for residential water plazas, community parks and open spaces, walking trails, a water plaza to make use of an existing vacant area and entryway water plazas. The project will also involve Cedarville Engineering Group LLC, which will work with San Juan’s Marvel & Marchand Architects LLP to build and evaluate a development in the community.