Innovative stormwater management project in place on Villanova campus
Alyssa Nobile ‘01

Villanova University recently implemented Project 319 Stormwater Management onto its campus to provide protection against future storms. Dr. Robert Traver, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, designed the project. Traver worked in conjunction with Chuck Leeds, the University's horticulturist and James Zaleski, director of Engineering and Services for Facilities Management to restructure the existing land to create an artificial wetland. 

"Not often do you come across projects where you have this type of interrelationship between faculty, students and Facilities Management. If I didn't have the help and support of these people, the project never would have come about," said Traver.

Artificial or stormwater wetlands have become increasingly popular as a way to control stormwater pollution. In addition to controlling pollution, artificial wetlands also provide cost-effective flood prevention, a more pleasant landscape and a way to utilize stormwater as a resource. A stormwater wetland is a shallow water body with gently sloping banks allowing many different types of aquatic plants to flourish. These plants then provide a habitat for a diverse range of animals.

The past stormwater management structure that existed on the land between Villanova's campus and County Line Road was designed only to handle extreme storm conditions by draining the water as quickly as possible through underground drains. The structure did not protect against pollutants or small storms. The new artificial wetlands, however, will protect against both small and large storms as well as reduce pollutants in the water.

Project 319 Stormwater Management's structure was designed by reconfiguring the existing structure. The underground pipes were removed, the basin and outlet structures were changed and a diverse species of plants were introduced throughout the land area. These changes created a simulated wetland environment that will aid in stormwater management. Slowing the flow of water through the newly built outlets both prevents floods and allows the plants to sift out the pollutants.

The majority of Project 319 Stormwater Management was funded by the state of Pennsylvania. Traver put in a request to the state several years ago for a grant for the project. The grant was recently reviewed and the Department of Environmental Protection in Pennsylvania decided to use money from Act 319 to fund the project. Through Act 319 money is given to each state by the Environmental Protection Agency specifically for use on pollution control.

In addition to managing and controlling stormwater, the artificial wetlands will also contribute to Villanova's arboretum. Leeds said, "I think of the arboretum as an entire piece, all types of trees, shrubs and plant life. Since most of these plants did not exist on Villanova's campus before we planted them for the artificial wetland, all of the new additions are contributions to the arboretum." Twenty-one different species of plants were planted throughout the land area and were selected based on their ability to adapt to the artificial wetland site.

The artificial wetlands will also be used for educational purposes in the future. The different environment will attract new animals and birds to the wetland area. "All of the different plants and animals in the wetlands will be available for biology and ecology classes to classify and study," said Leeds.