Press release from RiverLink
Homeowners in the greater Asheville area are invited to check out the new and improved WaterRICH Guide on RiverLink’s website, a free resource designed to help residents and property owners manage stormwater on their property. Rainwater runoff from rooftops and driveways flows into streets, drainage ditches, or into a storm drain, where it is piped directly into the nearest stream. Stormwater runoff harms water quality and contributes to erosion and flooding.
Did you know that the first inch of rainstorm runoff generally carries 90 percent of the pollution? As rain water runs across backyards and roads, it picks up contaminants like gas, herbicides and sediment. Many do not realize that in our urban areas, storm drains collect this polluted runoff where it is piped to the nearest stream. Instead of allowing that pollution to go straight to our waterways, stormwater features soak it into the ground where soil microbes and plant roots clean the water. Stormwater features, such rain gardens, can also add beauty to any landscape, prevent flooding and scour, while rain barrels can save on water bills for the homeowner.
The WaterRICH Guide offers resources to support these cost-effective landscape improvements including a native plant list suitable for rain gardens; a DIY video for building and installing a rain barrel; and a stormwater feature comparison chart. If your site has steep slopes or other attributes that make it challenging to manage, the guide also includes a list of local landscaping and design companies that can help plan and install solutions that work for your site.
RiverLink’s WaterRICH program seeks to educate groups on topics such as rain gardens, rain barrels, and stream restoration through workshops and presentations. To schedule a workshop or presentation for your group, organization or community, please contact: waterresources@riverlink.org!
The WaterRICH Guide has been updated with support from the Duke Energy Foundation.
ABOUT RIVERLINK
Located in Asheville’s River Arts District, RiverLink spearheads the economic and environmental revitalization of the French Broad River watershed as a destination where everyone can live, learn, work and play. RiverLink was born in the late ’80s of simultaneous efforts to address water quality concerns throughout the French Broad River basin, expand public opportunities for access and recreation, and champion the economic revitalization of Asheville’s once dilapidated riverfront district. RiverLink focuses on issues that directly impact the environmental health of the region’s rivers and streams, and the growth and sustainability of our economy. For more information about how you can get involved, please visit our website: www.riverlink.org, or contact us at information@riverlink.org
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.