An underground stormwater filter keeps phosphorus out of Wakefield Lake.
Frost and Kennard Spent Lime Filter
Project Details
| City: | Maplewood |
| Subwatershed: | Wakefield Lake |
| Completed: | 2018 |
| Cost: | $390,000 |
| Funding sources: | Clean Water Fund grant (C16-8863) for $300,000, District funds |
| Partner: | City of Maplewood |
Overview
This innovative stormwater filter is located on a plot of city-owned land at the corner of Frost Avenue and Kennard Street in Maplewood, a few blocks upstream from Wakefield Lake. It is designed to capture and filter stormwater runoff from a large portion of the lake’s 944-acre subwatershed.
The filter intercepts water from the storm sewer and routes it into a 20- by 36-foot underground chamber. There, the water interacts with spent lime, a chalky clay-like material repurposed from municipal drinking water treatment. Phosphorus binds to calcium in the spent lime material, and water leaving the chamber is expected to contain significantly less phosphorus (we will measure reduction rates over the coming months).
Water quality sampling equipment is installed at three points to monitor phosphorus levels and other properties as water moves through the system on its way to Wakefield Lake.
A small waterbody of just 23 acres and 9 feet deep, Wakefield Lake receives stormwater runoff from 944 acres of mostly developed residential neighborhoods. As a result, the lake is impaired for excess phosphorus, and the spent lime filter is a significant step toward meeting the target goal of 60 micrograms per liter. Lowering phosphorus levels will help reduce algae growth and improve water clarity over time.
More information
Video: Water Filtration for Wakefield Lake (City of Maplewood)
What’s Next for Wakefield Lake?
