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Community Corner

Doing Wonders with Storm Water

A nearby water saver can serve as inspiration to others.

As a Watershed Steward for the Broadneck area, I am always looking for those who have made improvements on their property to help with storm water management. 

Julie Winters of Arundel on the Bay has done some wonderful work in her part of the world.

In the Arundel on the Bay community, many of Julie's neighbors are installing a wide variety of storm water solutions and green improvements, and it has proved contagious.

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She has over 1,500 square feet of rain gardens in her own yard, filled with native plants, which require less watering and no fertilizer. This is because the plants that have evolved in this area are naturally suited to the conditions.

Winters has also installed three rain barrels that serve to slow down the roof water flow after a storm. Two of them release their caches into big beautiful rain gardens; one for the front half of the roof and one for the back. The third rain barrel is a reserve for watering the many other flowers, plants, shrubs and trees on her property.

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In the back yard, Winters has built a gorgeous, welcoming patio. Circular in shape, it has permeable spaces between the attractive Aspen Rose stones, which are sourced from nearby Pennsylvania to reduce the carbon footprint. Her driveway also allows water to soak in, since it is made of a nice beige gravel of a fine gauge instead of asphalt.

In addition to all the fine work in her yard, Winters, proud owner of two beautiful dogs, manages the community's Pet Waste Station program. There are several well-placed stations with descriptive signs and baggies for everyone to use, to keep the nutrient heavy pet waste out of our waterways. An elegant wood chest in her driveway houses the necessary supplies for the maintenance crew to stock the stations. 

Winters is also an Anne Arundel Watershed Steward, so it comes as no surprise that so many wonderful things are happening at her home and in her neighborhood. It really makes a big difference when everyone gets involved. 

Thanks, Julie, for all that you are doing!

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