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Sterling Heights Unveils Green Infrastructure Project to Combat Flooding and Improve Water Quality

Sterling Heights Unveils Green Infrastructure Project to Combat Flooding and Improve Water Quality

Sterling Heights and Macomb County officials have introduced a new green infrastructure project along a 1.2-mile section of the Sterling Relief Drain. This $1 million initiative involved 'daylighting' the area, replacing old metal pipes with thousands of newly planted trees, bushes, perennials, and pollinators. The goal is to significantly reduce and filter stormwater runoff, which is expected to alleviate flooding in local homes and roadways. The project also features reconstructed manholes and modified inlets to prevent trash from entering the drain and to keep stormwater in the open channel for natural filtration. Acres of prairie grass now cover the top portion of the relief drain, converting previously mowed turf grass areas into pollinator fields. These plantings are designed to absorb and filter millions of gallons of stormwater. Additionally, the site now serves a dual purpose as a new hike/bike path, becoming the latest addition to Sterling Heights' non-motorized recreational trails. The project w...
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Newton Reorganizes Sustainability Office, Shifts Focus to Implementation Amid Leadership Change

Newton Reorganizes Sustainability Office, Shifts Focus to Implementation Amid Leadership Change

The city of Newton is reorganizing its climate and sustainability office, integrating it into the Department of Public Works (DPW) and re-evaluating its leadership structure. Mayor Marc Laredo's administration announced that Sustainability Co-Chair Ann Berwick would be 'transitioning' out of her role, though Berwick stated she was 'abruptly fired' without a stated reason or discussion about the city's future sustainability plans. This change marks a shift in the city's approach to sustainability, moving from policy development to active implementation and climate adaptation strategies. Newton Chief Operations Officer Josh Morse explained that the reorganization aims to leverage the DPW's extensive resources and infrastructure capabilities to execute climate action plans more effectively. The city has a long history of environmental leadership, dating back to the 1970s with an 'energy engineer' position, and has since expanded its initiatives to include stormwater resiliency and phosphorus reduction program...
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Floating Wetland Pods Significantly Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Wastewater Treatment

Floating Wetland Pods Significantly Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Wastewater Treatment

A two-year study conducted by Dr. Lukas Schuster at RMIT University has demonstrated that floating wetland pods, covered with native flora, can substantially decrease greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater treatment lagoons. The study, published in the Journal of Environmental Management, found that these nature-based solutions reduced CO2 emissions by up to 36%, methane by up to 66%, and nitrous oxide by 18%. The wetland pods feature plants whose roots extend into the wastewater, supporting microbial communities that are crucial for emission reduction. This research builds upon existing knowledge that floating wetlands can effectively lower nutrient loads and remove pollutants from water. The trial involved a floating wetland approximately the size of one-and-a-half tennis courts within the Westernport Water wastewater lagoon on Victoria’s Phillip Island, covering about 7% of the water surface. A control channel without a wetland was also used for comparison.
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Capture Group to Establish Defense Industry Hub in Sterling Heights, Creating 125 Jobs

Capture Group to Establish Defense Industry Hub in Sterling Heights, Creating 125 Jobs

Capture Group to Establish Defense Industry Hub in Sterling Heights, Creating 125 Jobs
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Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting System Proposed to Combat Urban Heatwaves and Reduce Energy Demand

Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting System Proposed to Combat Urban Heatwaves and Reduce Energy Demand

Researchers at the University of Manchester have developed a study proposing a rooftop rainwater harvesting system designed to mitigate urban heatwaves and decrease air conditioning usage. This innovative system collects rainwater from rooftops and strategically sprays it onto buildings during hot weather. The study, which utilized process-based numerical simulations and artificial intelligence with Tokyo as a case study, found that cooling rooftops reduced the energy required for air conditioning. This reduction is attributed to cooler roofs transferring less heat into buildings and lower air conditioning use leading to less waste heat being released into the urban environment. The research indicates that the benefits of this approach become more significant during hotter years, suggesting its increasing importance as global temperatures rise. The system also offers a co-benefit of reducing extreme urban runoff, providing a natural solution to both thermal stress and hydrological extremes.
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Rhode Island CRMC Updates Regulations for Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems

Rhode Island CRMC Updates Regulations for Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems

The Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) has updated its regulations and policies concerning Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS). These systems are crucial for properties not connected to public sewer lines, handling wastewater treatment and disposal from residential and commercial buildings. Any installation, repair, modification, or replacement of an OWTS within CRMC's jurisdiction now requires review and a permit from the CRMC to ensure compliance with coastal program provisions, specifically Section 300.6. This is in addition to the existing requirement for review and approval by the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) through their OWTS permit program. The CRMC emphasizes the importance of these regulations, particularly for OWTS located along the coastal shoreline, to prevent damage from coastal erosion. The DEM has also established specific 'OWTS Repair Guidance in Critical Erosion Areas' to address these concerns. Furthermore, the watersheds of the Narrow River a...
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Sterling Heights City Council Approves $2.03 Million Solar Investment for Municipal Buildings

Sterling Heights City Council Approves $2.03 Million Solar Investment for Municipal Buildings

The Sterling Heights City Council has sanctioned a significant investment in renewable energy, approving a $2.03 million proposal from Harvest Solar for the design and installation of rooftop solar arrays on four key municipal buildings. These buildings include Sterling Heights City Hall, the Police Department, the Public Library, and the Community Center. The city anticipates recovering approximately 50% of the project cost through available federal clean-energy incentives, reducing its net investment to about $1.02 million. Once operational, these solar arrays are projected to save the city approximately $107,500 in electricity costs during the first year and over $5.4 million throughout their minimum 30-year lifespan. The project is expected to have a payback period of approximately 10 years based on the city's net investment.
Springfield News-Leader Springfield News-Leader
Renew Jordan Creek nears completion, plans to open in spring

Renew Jordan Creek nears completion, plans to open in spring

For nearly two years, dirt has been moving downtown Springfield to return Jordan Creek to its natural state. The project nears completion this winter.
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El Centro City Council Adopts 2025 Urban Water Management Plan and Water Shortage Contingency Plan

El Centro City Council Adopts 2025 Urban Water Management Plan and Water Shortage Contingency Plan

The El Centro City Council has unanimously approved and adopted its 2025 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) and 2025 Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP). These plans are mandated by the California Urban Water Management Planning Act, requiring urban water suppliers to update their strategies every five years. The UWMP and WSCP outline the city's water supply and demand data, reliability analysis, and shortage response planning, extending the planning horizon to 2050. The core conclusion remains that El Centro's water supply, sourced from the Colorado River via the Imperial Irrigation District (IID), is projected to be 100 percent reliable under various conditions. Notable changes in the updated plans include lower population and demand growth projections, increased non-revenue water, a new state water loss standard, and the finalization of IID's Equitable Distribution Plan. The council also approved the Draft 2025-2026 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER).
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Mushroom-Based Packaging Utilizes Mycelium and Agricultural Waste for Biodegradable Solutions

Mushroom-Based Packaging Utilizes Mycelium and Agricultural Waste for Biodegradable Solutions

Mushroom-Based Packaging Utilizes Mycelium and Agricultural Waste for Biodegradable Solutions
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Gratsi Highlights Boxed Wine as Budget-Friendly Option for Weddings

Gratsi Highlights Boxed Wine as Budget-Friendly Option for Weddings

Gratsi Highlights Boxed Wine as Budget-Friendly Option for Weddings
USA Today USA Today
Bidet-curious? Tushy has 40% off and could help cut toilet paper costs

Bidet-curious? Tushy has 40% off and could help cut toilet paper costs

Save up to 40% on easy-to-install bidets and bathroom accessories during Tushy’s Labor Day Sale, plus get a free Travel Bidet on qualifying orders.