MILPITAS, CALIFORNIA, May 14, 2013 (Marketwired via COMTEX) —
Yes, there are solutions to the water pollution created by parking
lot runoff that winds its way through drainage systems, rivers,
lakes, canals, and, at some point, into our water glasses. Water
contamination has to be tackled at the source – in the parking lots
themselves – and one of the answers to the problem can be with the
addition of rain gardens and self-sustaining landscaping.
A TV short aired by the Knowledge Network in April 2013 described the
problem and its management very well: our waterways are becoming
increasingly polluted with oil, gas, anti-freeze, toxic cleaners,
paint, and other chemicals that accumulate in parking lots,
construction sites, and streets; as well as with fertilizers and
pesticides used to enhance landscaping.
The TV cameras zeroed in on concerned citizens who had learned about
the benefits of rain gardens to help control water pollution and were
introducing the concept in the Seattle, Washington, community of
North Ridge, with the goal of constructing 12,000 such gardens. Many
other communities across the country are becoming involved in similar
programs as citizens learn that rain gardens help manage storm water
runoff and can protect our water sources.
“We offer our clients rain garden landscaping in an effort to help
them reduce water pollution from parking lot runoff and to help
absorb overflow after a storm,” said Gina Vella, President, Universal
Site Services. “I think it’s wonderful that so many people are
becoming involved in the management of storm water runoff.”
Rain gardens are shallow depressions about 12 or more inches deep
filled with compost that will collect and filter storm water and
parking lot runoff so that the water is cleaned naturally. As well,
the rain gardens are landscaped with attractive vegetation, which
grows well in the composted-enhanced, nutrient-rich soil.
“We calculate the size and number of rain gardens needed to support
the runoff from parking lot surfaces and the best location for them,”
Mrs. Vella added, “and our company specializes in providing
self-sustaining, native vegetation to reduce the need for fertilizers
and pesticides so that we don’t add to the pollution problem.
Plant species native to an area are self-sustaining because they have
a natural protection against local weather conditions and insect
infestations. Exotic, non-native plants usually require the
protection of herbicides and fertilizers for survival.
Companies that landscape their parking lots with well-placed rain
gardens covered with native plants provide three-way protection for
the community: the rain gardens filter toxins from runoff, diminish
overflow after heavy storms, and reduce the amount of herbicides and
fertilizers that are washed into our water.
It’s one of the easier solutions to the problem of parking lot
runoff.
About Universal Site Services
Universal Site Services is a full service property maintenance and
site services company serving clients in California, Arizona, and
Nevada. Founded in 1958, Universal is one of the largest
family-owned, full-service outdoor maintenance companies on the West
Coast. Universal was one of the inventors of the regenerative air
parking lot sweeper. Services include parking lot sweeping pressure
washing, day porter, landscaping, property maintenance and graffiti
removal. For more information about Universal, please visit
www.universalsiteservices.com or call: 800-647-9337.
Contacts:
Doug Hay Associates
Doug Hay
877-226-3823
doug@doughayassoc.com
www.universalsiteservices.com
SOURCE: Universal Site Services
mailto:doug@doughayassoc.com
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