Turf Battles: Finding the right mix

Newport News Waterworks manages 12,000 acres of watershed property throughout the lower Virginia Peninsula to protect its reservoirs.  They have personnel who also manage 70 acres of grassy areas around Waterworks facilities, from water treatment plants to water towers, pump stations, reservoir facilities and more.  

To increase environmental protection and to reduce impacts to it, the utility’s Environmental Management System Team looked for ways to reduce turf. Reducing grassy areas reduces fertilizer and lime used to maintain turf that also results in runoff to waterways. Research shows that nutrient concentrations from turf can be up to four times greater than other urban sources like runoff from roadways and roofs. This program also reduces gas needed to fuel the mowers and gas fumes into the air.

During the initial year, turf was reduced by 9% through the following:

• Replacing 3.5 acres of grass with loblolly pine trees, a quick growing tree.  Another environmental benefit is that trees release oxygen into the air, absorb carbon dioxide and provide habitat for deer and other animals.
  

• About two acres of grass were allowed to return to tall, native grasses near the old Lee Hall Plant, providing habitat for small animals. Tall grasses also discourage geese from occupying these areas since their predators like to hang out in the grasses.
  

• The prettiest transformation was about ½ acre from turf to a wildflower meadow near the detention pond at Lee Hall.  This site is a showcase of annual and perennial plants that bloom throughout the summer, provides habitat for butterflies and bees, and filters runoff that goes into the nearby pond.

Next year, the team plans to expand the program. They are also looking at partnerships with interested citizen groups who could help provide appropriate plant materials and design for highly visible Waterworks locations. Such turf reduction ventures could provide the added benefit of demonstration sites of drought-tolerant plantings for the general public.