The phase one EPA Grant Number: SU833946
Title:Water Awareness, Research and Education in East Tampa (WARE East Tampa): A pilot collaboration involving USF, Young Magnet Middle School and the East Tampa Community.
Investigator(s): Maya Trotz, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, USF; Trent Green, Associate Professor, College of Architecture, University of South Florida (USF); Fenda Akiwumi, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, USF, and Amy Stuart, Assistant Professor, College of Public Health, USF.
Project Period: August 31, 2008 to July 31, 2009
Project Amount: $ 10,000
Research Category:P3 Challenge Area(s): Water, Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development
Objective: Stormwater retention ponds play a vital role in flood and pollution control in communities throughout Florida and volunteer community programs have been successful at reducing local pollutant loads and maintaining pond health. Community funded revitalization programs in East Tampa have identified 3 stormwater beautification projects. This P3 award will establish a collaborative mechanism involving the University of South Florida, Young Middle Magnet School and East Tampa community members that effectively raises environmental awareness in East Tampa using stormwater ponds as an initial focal point.
Approach: Through community education and awareness, local pollutant inputs to storm water will be reduced; an activity that not only impacts local pond water quality, but also water quality in the Tampa Bay.
Expected Results: Outputs from this project are: a) curriculum developed for students at Young Middle Magnet; b) stormwater retention pond demonstration modules and tour; c) baseline water quality data collection for three retention ponds in East Tampa and establishment of a sustainable water monitoring program; d) preliminary assessment of sediment heavy metal concentrations; e) a report with proposed activities needed to advance this project. Participant surveys will be conducted at various times over the course of the project to evaluate its effectiveness.