[caption id="attachment_573" align="alignleft" width="216" caption="Planting a Rain Garden"][/caption]

            Nature’s version of a wastewater treatment plant — a rain garden — was planted Saturday at the north side of Goshen Public Library’s new parking lot.

            Volunteers comprised of master naturalists as well as members of the library’s summer reading program and Historic Southside Neighborhood Association used trowels and shovels to place in the ground nearly 500 plugs and plants of varying species and sizes.

            A $10,000 grant had been obtained to fund the 1,800-square-foot rain garden as well as install a section of pervious concrete, which allows water to drain through it. The library is located at 601 S. Fifth St.

            Eric Kurtz, stormwater coordinator with Elkhart County Soil and Water Conservation District, said the project was pursued to demonstrate new methods of dealing with storm water.

            “A healthy wetlands performs the same function as a wastewater treatment plant,” said Chris Kline of JF New, Walkerton, an ecological consulting firm with a native plant nursery. He talked to participants about the emerging economic value of building and maintaining rain gardens.

            Kline said these structures are particularly important in communities including Goshen where storm water and sewer systems are combined.

            “When there is a rain event — sometimes as little as half an inch of rain — the storm system flushes the sanitary sewer system and untreated raw sewage is dumped right into the river,” Kline said.

            With the Environmental Protection Agency “taking a harder line” in regards to the combined sewer overflow systems, Kline said rain gardens help reduce the amount of storm water flowing into the system and also provide an aesthetic benefit.

            He noted native plants are used in rain gardens because they are naturally occurring in a region, are adaptable and drought resistant, have pest and disease tolerance and also support wildlife habitats. Additionally, Kline said the root depths of native plants are 12 to 15 feet as compared to several inches of turf grass.

            Even the foliage of the plants helps capture rain, while the root masses help prevent soil erosion and filter the water, Kline said. Also, the roots provide pathways for channeling water into the ground, while turf grass is almost like a hard surface.

            “Rain gardens are not an open pool or a breeding ground for mosquitoes,” Kline said. “They are designed to hold a certain amount of water for a fairly short amount of time.”

            The structures do require watering and weeding, particularly during the first two years after installation, Kline said. Also, burning or mowing dead plant material may be required.

            Kurtz said Karen Fairfield, a master naturalist who is a member of the neighborhood association, has agreed to maintain the library’s new rain garden.                          

          Volunteers are being solicited to help with the work beginning the first Saturday in August at 8:30 a.m. The maintenance work will continue the first Saturday of each month.