LID for Puget Sound, rainwater tanks in Australia could save millions, and a medal for Togo

Some exciting changes are coming down the pipe for urban streams in the Northwest. A ruling last week in Puget Sound found that the Department of Ecology must require developers in Western Washington’s biggest cities and counties to keep polluted stormwater out of streams. The decision says that rather than simply encouraging counties and cities to try new, rain-absorbing techniques, known as low-impact development or LID, Ecology needs to require them. Oregon DEQ is currently writing new permits that should promote LID in Oregon’s largest cities. Join OEC’s Oregon Stormwater listserv to stay tuned. One LID technique is harvesting rainwater in cisterns or rain barrels for residential use.

A new study in Australia found that taxpayers would save more than $600 million if every new house and apartment block in Victoria was built with a rainwater tank. Most of the cost savings comes from reducing the need to expand storm sewer systems, and saving water is an added benefit.

Here’s one more river story that should put a smile on your face. This week, kayaker Benjamin Boukpeti won the first Olympic medal ever for the tiny African country of Togo. He was so excited about his bronze medal that he snapped his paddle in half while celebrating! I lived in Togo for two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer, and it’s a thrill to see the impoverished and generous Togolese people get a moment of glory.