Press Releases
05/13/2026
DEEP Highlights City of Groton Green Infrastructure Project That Will Reduce Flooding and Stormwater Pollution
(HARTFORD, CT) – On Thursday, May 14, the City of Groton will show off its newly installed porous concrete at Washington Park, utilizing federal Clean Water Act Section 319 Grant funds the Eastern Connecticut Conservation District (ECCD) received through the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to improve water quality of Birch Plain Creek.
Pavement- often used for sidewalks and roads- is usually impervious, meaning water cannot soak through it and into the ground where the water would be naturally filtered through the soil. Unfiltered stormwater carries contaminants like bacteria, sediment, and heavy metals from roadways that pose risks for waterbodies like lakes, streams, and Long Island Sound. For Birch Plain Creek, which runs a few miles through the City of Groton and into Baker Cove, porous concrete is one important solution for maintaining the river system’s health.
“We are excited to support the City of Groton on this green infrastructure project to help reduce flooding and stormwater pollution through the replacement of needed infrastructure in Washington Park,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. “In developed areas, Connecticut’s streams face water quality risks from contaminated runoff due in part to impervious surfaces. Watersheds with less than 12% impervious cover tend to exhibit good stream quality, while watersheds with greater than 12% impervious cover tend to show signs of poorer quality water. By replacing impervious pavement with porous concrete ECCD and the City of Groton are paving, or rather depaving, the way towards sustainable development.”
“ECCD is very excited to have partnered with CT DEEP and the City of Groton to install porous concrete panels at Washington Park,” said Dan Mullins, Assistant for Special Projects and Executive Director Emeritus at ECCD. “The panels will infiltrate contaminated runoff into the soil where it will be treated by natural processes, cleaning the water and protecting the adjacent wetland and Birch Plain Creek. The ultimate goal is to restore shellfishing in Baker Cove and this project moves us closer to achieving that goal.”
“The City of Groton’s willingness to try out new technologies is truly appreciated and is helping achieve the City’s climate resiliency goals to reduce stormwater flooding,” said Maura Robie, Natural Resource Specialist at ECCD. “At the same time, it supports the Baker Cove Watershed Committee’s goal of cutting down polluted runoff into Baker Cove—making this a win-win for both the community and the environment!”
"The City of Groton is always proud to partner with ECCD to advance clean stormwater improvement initiatives throughout our community. We hope this project is the beginning of more public-facing stormwater reduction initiatives. This project serves as a focal point to promoting water quality through community education. The leadership and support from ECCD within our community has been invaluable,” said Heidi Comeau, Public Works Services Coordinator for the City of Groton.
To see this stormwater solution in action, join ECCD at their Porous Concrete Demo on Thursday, May 14, from 2-3 p.m. at the Park Ave Pavilion 5 parking lot in Washington Park, City of Groton. To register, email Maura Robie at maura.robie@comcast.net.
Each year, DEEP solicits applications for Clean Water Act Section 319 Nonpoint Source (NPS) Grant Program funding for projects that address NPS pollution in Connecticut, such as this one. This funding can be passed onto municipalities, communities, local conservation groups, and many other organizations for NPS management efforts within Connecticut. Eligible projects include development of Watershed Based Plan documents; implementation of actions identified in approved Watershed Based Plans, such as stormwater best management practice installations; and projects that support the milestones established in the Connecticut Nonpoint Source Management Program Plan. Approximately $1.1 million is available annually. Subscribe to CT DEEP’s Water Quality Planning ListServ to be notified when applications are being accepted, and for other Connecticut Water Quality news. Contact DEEP.watershed@ct.gov for any additional information about the program.
Information on impervious cover percentages can be found here: UConn CLEAR, 2023, Long Island Sound Watershed Changing Landscape NLCD Land Cover.
The porous concrete pad is made up of individual panels. One is being carefully placed here (Maura Robie, ECCD).
Partially complete line of porous concrete panels (Maura Robie, ECCD).
This porous concrete pad overlooking the ballfield is nearly complete (Maura Robie, ECCD).
Porous concrete panels were installed on the Park’s walkways, too (Maura Robie, ECCD).
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Contact
DEEP Communications
DEEP.Communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110