Etna Models Green Infrastructure Options for Other Municipalities

Published September 24, 2014 at 7:40 PM EDT

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Decorative grates allow rainwater to flow through the sidewalk into storage tanks. The tanks retain runoff from storms from the surrounding rooftops of businesses. The local businesses have rerouted their downspouts so they flow into the system.

Nikki Abban / 90.5WESA

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Trees, decorative grates and underground storage make up the streetscape in Etna and promote rainwater infiltration. Tree pits add aesthetic value and will absorb rainwater.

Nikki Abban / 90.5WESA

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Some parking areas were replaced with pervious pavement and reused brick pavers from the existing sidewalk on Butler street, in order to minimize runoff to the alley. A stone bed under the pavers was sized to provide rain water storage.

Nikki Abban / 90.5WESA

The borough of Etna recently debuted its green infrastructure plan. Like many other communities along the Allegheny river, Etna has had a history of problems with flooding, and the community of some 3,400 people was hit especially hard as a result of Hurricane Ivan in 2004.

Etna’s master plan was designed to handle large amounts of storm water without flooding the sewage systems. What can their experience in Etna tell us about how other communities in our region can institute green projects of this kind?

We'll talk with Etna borough manager Mary Ellen Ramage and Janel Everly, programming director for the Green Building Alliance, one of the community partners in the project.

For more information on the new green features the Clean Rivers Campaign, another partner in the Etna Plan, details their Eco Walking Tour of the Borough.