New York American Water awarded $3,500 to the Town of Oyster Bay to support the development of the Town of Oyster Bay Rain Garden Outreach Project. The project, which will help capture storm-water pollutants, will include the creation of 200-square-foot rain gardens throughout Marjorie Post Park in Massapequa.
“We are proud we have the opportunity to help our communities in their efforts to maintain our water supply and encourage sustainability,” said president of New York American Water Brian Bruce. “These rain gardens will efficiently protect Long Island’s waterways from rainwater contamination. The town’s project will serve as a great example for neighboring organizations and residents who are interested in constructing their own.”
In addition to developing the rain gardens, the town will also use the grant to support educational seminars led by its partners—The Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District, the Boy Scouts of America and Operation Splash.
These information sessions will help teach local volunteers how to build rain gardens of their own. The Oyster Bay Rain Garden Outreach Project will benefit local bodies of water such as the Long Island Sound, East Bay and Massapequa Creek. The Town of Oyster Bay is one of three total recipients of this year’s New York American Water Environmental Grant Program, totaling more than $9,000.
“The town is grateful to New York American Water for providing these grant funds to help construct two new rain gardens at Marjorie Post Park in Massapequa,” said Councilwoman Michele M. Johnson. “These proposed rain gardens will help improve water quality in nearby bodies of water and ensure that rainwater becomes available for plants as groundwater rather than being sent through storm water drains straight out to sea, which normally causes erosion, water pollution, flooding and diminished groundwater.”
This is the fourth year New York American Water has provided Environmental grants to local organizations that are working to improve, restore or protect watersheds and groundwater supplies. Since the program began, New York American Water has contributed approximately $40,000 in grants to support local community benefit programs.
New York American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest investor-owned water company in New York, providing high-quality and reliable water services to approximately 350,000 people. More information can be found at www.amwater.com.
