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Article
Assessment of a Countywide Stormwater Pond Improvement Program
Urban Water Journal
  • Anthony T. Betts, University of South Florida
  • Kamal A. Alsharif, University of South Florida
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2014
Keywords
  • nonpoint source pollution,
  • stormwater runoff,
  • environmental education,
  • urban water quality,
  • stormwater management
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1080/1573062X.2012.750370
Disciplines
Abstract

Numerous approaches have been advocated to improve pollutant removal in stormwater retention and detention ponds. The Hillsborough County (FL) Adopt-A-Pond program is one such application. However, ex post evaluation of these approaches is particularly limited. Water quality and vegetative characteristics were assessed at participating Adopt-A-Pond sites to explore potential impacts of the program on measurable environmental parameters. Statistical analysis of the results failed to demonstrate significant environmental improvements associated with the Adopt-A-Pond program, and measures of program activity did not illustrate a consistently positive influence. These results illustrate the need for ex post evaluations and indicate a general need to readdress the policies and implementation of the program. Poor compliance by program volunteers, evident by the limited span of group participation (mean = 2.5 years) and relatively low percentage of actively involved residents, is a possible culprit, as the efficacy of pond enhancement techniques is firmly established in the literature.

Citation / Publisher Attribution

Urban Water Journal, v. 11, issue 1, p. 11-19

Citation Information
Anthony T. Betts and Kamal A. Alsharif. "Assessment of a Countywide Stormwater Pond Improvement Program" Urban Water Journal Vol. 11 Iss. 1 (2014) p. 11 - 19
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/kamal-alsharif/8/