Berrien County Drain Commissioner Christopher Quattrin has celebrated the completion of the county’s newest rain garden, this one in Watervliet. A ribbon cutting for the South Watervliet Drain rain garden at South Elementary School on Lucinda Lane near St. Joseph Catholic Church was held Monday. Quattrin tells us rain gardens capture groundwater and filter it through plants and pipes as the water makes its way to natural streams.
“We’re able to not only filter the water but also to slow it downstream, so we’re going to eliminate the flashing and flooding downstream,” Quattrin said.
Quattrin says the Watervliet rain garden will give residents a place to sit and enjoy a natural setting as its helps to protect groundwater. There are more rain gardens planned for the county.
“This is a great way to help improve water quality, with rain gardens. So, any place I can introduce those into the design, into the solution for water management in the area, I do. Not only is it sustainable, but it’s very cost effective.”
The next two rain gardens will be in St. Joseph Township. Quattrin says more are planned in Niles Township and Sawyer.
