Construction Begins On Project To Capture Storm Water On Venice Island
MANAYUNK (CBS) - City officials have broken ground in Manayunk on a $46-million project designed to capture storm water runoff.
The centerpiece of the project is an enormous underground water storage basin to be built on Venice Island. Mayor Nutter says it'll be about 400 feet long, 75 feet wide and 25 feet deep.
"The full capacity of the basin is four million gallons. That's kinda big."
Big enough to handle most of the runoff that comes with big storms.
"This will help prevent overflow from spilling into the Schuylkill River. The source of our drinking water for the city."
To make way for the storage tank construction crews had to tear down Venice Islands recreation facility. But they'll be building a new and improved one, complete with basketball courts and pool, rain gardens, a green roof and tree trenches.
The project is scheduled to be completed in three years.
Reported by Paul Kurtz, KYW Newsradio 1060
