Press Release
☷New filtration system installed at JBM HH
U.S. Army ( By Press Release office)
Jan 14,2024
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We ' re putting in a new tree box filter near the Hatfield Gate at Joint Base Myer - Henderson Hall . It ' s got a red chokeberry shrub that can grow up to 6 to 10 feet tall . This unit replaces a standard stormwater curb inlet and lets rainwater flow into a concrete vault . The soil and plants in the filter naturally clean out pollutants before the water goes into the stormwater system . The Joint Base Myer - Henderson Hall Directorate of Public Works is installing 14 more of these filters to deal with stormwater pollution and make the area look better . We started the installation work in October 2023 , moving streetlights and utility lines to make room for the filters . We ' ll start installing the filters around the commissary parking lot in January 2024 and keep going until May 2024 . We had to consider space when deciding where to put the filters . We looked at different curb inlets on the base to find the right spots based on size and drainage . These tree box filters are precast concrete vaults filled with special filtering material , replacing the old stormwater curb inlets . Trees grow out of the grates covering the vaults . The goal of installing these filters is to reduce pollution in the Chesapeake Bay . Over three permit terms , the filters gradually remove three main pollutants from stormwater runoff . They ' re designed to take out stuff like grease , oil , metal , phosphorus , and nitrogen , which can cause harmful algae to grow . Tree box filters are especially good at treating runoff from streets and parking lots . Instead of the stormwater going straight into the system , it first goes through the soil filter where pollutants get filtered out . The trees then soak up any extra nutrients . According to Tolbert , the tree that grows out of it has some extra perks . It gives shade that cools down the asphalt and concrete below and also provides a home for animals . Taking care of this system is no big deal , just a couple of workers spending around 30 minutes per unit every now and then for some light pruning , cleaning up , and changing the filter every few years . If you want more updates about the joint base , check out army . mil/jbmhhnews .
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