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New Rain Garden Installed at Merriam Avenue Elementary School

The SCMUA-WRWMG partnered with the Newton School District and the Newton Department of Public Works to install a rain garden at Merriam Avenue Elementary School. The 400 square foot rain garden is capable of managing 1,055 gallons of runoff from a portion of the school’s rooftop each year. This rain garden uses native flowers and shrubs to help reduce the amount of polluted runoff that enters the storm drains and nearby Paulins Kill River. The project was completed at no cost to the school. The Newton DPW excavated the rain garden and the SCMUA-WRWMG’s National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant funds paid for all of the plants, mulch, and stone. The SCMUA-WRWMG also worked with the C2C (Choose 2 Connect) after school enrichment program to teach students about the rain garden and directly involve them in the mulching and flower and shrub installation.