Written by: Guy Iverson, Doctoral Candidate, PhD in Coastal Resources Management

East Carolina University (ECU) partnered with City of Greenville to manage stormwater runoff by installing best management practices designed to reduce stormwater runoff and treat urban pollution. Yesterday, ECU students, staff, and faculty along with City of Greenville staff planted 100 trees along the banks of Town Creek.

Town Creek is an urban stream located in Greenville, NC and drains to the Tar River. Stormwater runoff can degrade water quality in streams. Common pollutants found in urban runoff may include nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), sediment, bacteria, heavy metals, road salts, and motor oils. Groundwater containing elevated benzene concentrations often discharge into Town Creek, potentially degrading local air and water quality. Oily substances on water surfaces and petroleum odors have been documented in Town Creek.

Reforestation was one of many best management practices employed to improve stormwater management in Uptown Greenville. Reforestation involves planting trees to rejuvenate the riparian buffer adjacent to the creek. Poplar trees, and other native species, were planted in an effort to reduce benzene concentrations. Studies suggest that poplar trees can be effective at removing petroleum-based chemicals from soil, water, and air. Additionally, riparian buffers can improve water quality by uptaking nutrients from runoff and mitigating erosion by slowing down runoff flow rates. These efforts, as a result of the ECU/City of Greenville partnership, not only seek to improve water and air quality, but also serve our community by providing aesthetic value and natural habitat.