Page 12 - July August 2017 Vol 35 No 2
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the trash. This protects the elderly or Changing Landscape from page 9 these same low impact design principles
children from unintentionally taking a can be implemented on a larger scale, such
drug they should not, and keeps experi- The amended soils and vegetation assist as on roadway projects. A great example is
menting teens and other potential drug in filtering the suspended solids and also in Fairfax County, Virginia, where a multi-
abusers from having access. prevent re-suspension. If the project is in lane roadway project utilizes a vegetated
an urban setting, this can be particularly grass swale system with inlets for storm-
For 2017 alone, over 55,656 lbs. of helpful for “hotspot” runoff and treatment. water management.
pharmaceuticals have been collected
through the drug take back collection The Contractor is a Part of the Team What Have We Learned
bins, and nearly 255,337 lbs. cumulative
since the origination of the take back Prior to construction of green infra- It is important to note that no one solu-
program. There are 234 bins total in structure, it is important that the selected tion will fit every project or site when it
Tennessee. Specific bin locations for each contractor understands the design, what comes to low impact design. Sometimes,
county and further information about is intended in the plans, and how to install it may take a combination of practices to
the state’s Unwanted Pharmaceuticals and construct low impact design features make a site work, while on other sites it
Take Back Program can be found at per the local jurisdiction requirements. might not work at all. With municipali-
http://www.tennessee.gov/environment/ More and more contractors are learn- ties and the development communities
article/sp-unwanted-pharmaceuticals. ing about green infrastructure, including working together, the implementation of
gaining an understanding of the different low impact design practices will assist in
“Collection boxes are available in ev- elements, proper installation practices, alleviating urban stormwater issues and
ery Tennessee county, thanks to TDEC’s and how the various elements function improve water quality in our streams, riv-
program and partnership with local law together. This understanding improves the ers, and lakes.
enforcement,” said TDEC Deputy Com- overall stormwater system being installed
missioner of the Bureau of Environment on a project site, and the more proficient a Resources for Information on Green
Shari Meghreblian. “The 200+ perma- contractor is at installation, the lower the Infrastructure:
nent bins offer residents a way to help us construction costs. Whether it is realized Environmental Protection Agency www.epa.gov
safeguard our natural water resources.” or not, the contractor is an important City of Chattanooga Resource Rain Guide
member of the team. http://www.chattanooga.gov/public-works/44-
So this year keep your cabinets cleaned public-works/989-resource-rain
out year-round and responsibly dispose Low Impact Design on a Large Scale Metro Nashville Low Impact Design Manual
of over-the-counter and prescription https://www.nashville.gov/Water-Services/De-
drugs at your local prescription take For many, green infrastructure is consid- velopers/Low-Impact-Development.aspx U.S.
back bin, and help keep Tennessee’s ered something that is applicable only in
water clean and limit drug abuse. an urban setting on a small scale. However,
View online at tnpublicworks.com 11
