Politics & Government

City Completes River des Peres Southwest Branch Water Quality Project

Project came in well under budget.

The recently completed the River des Peres Southwest Branch Water Quality project. The project was funded by a $441,389 Section 319 Nonpoint Source Implementation Grant from the 1987 Clean Water Act under the Environment Protection Agency.

Federal funds were allocated to protect and improve the quality of water entering the River des Peres. Project goals were implemented through public education and outreach about nonpoint source pollution. This included 10 educational events, 50 meetings, six informational newsletters and 70 signs to help raise awareness about the project and nonpoint source pollution.

Several best management practices were installed at City facilities, including a rain garden at the and permeable pavers in a municipal parking lot, both practices are used to capture and absorb storm water runoff.

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The project also included monitoring the River des Peres and testing the water quality at four locations for a 12 month period and partnering with the River des Peres Watershed Coalition to offer a cost-share program to assist homeowners install 65 rain barrels at residential properties throughout University City.

Federal funding through the grant also allowed for the installation of four additional rain gardens (gardens that are depressed in the ground to absorb rainwater runoff from roofs, driveways, parking lots, etc.) and one storm water detention pond.           

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The River des Peres Southwest Branch Water Quality project completion was under budget by more than $155,000. According to the State of Missouri Department of Natural Resources, all remaining funding will be allocated for other water quality projects.


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