“Currently the whole neighborhood is untreated for storm water,” said Blaine stormwater coordinator Megan Hedstrom.
It’s happening herein Aurelia Park because of the age of the neighborhood. This neighborhood was built before the state of Minnesota had stormwater requirements. Similar ponds are already in place in many parts of the city.
“In our new neighborhoods, this would be required from the get go. It’s a little more challenging in these old neighborhoods to find the space to put these ponds in,” said Hedstrom.
In fact, Blaine already has more than 700 stormwater ponds and infiltration basins, with even more on the way.
“Moving forward we’re looking to install about in one of those infiltration basins every other year in our park system, just trying to keep up with state requirements in our areas that were built before they existed.”
The funding for this project is through a State of Minnesota Clean Water Land and Legacy Grant, the city’s stormwater utility fund, and the Coon Creek Watershed District.
