What’s under this parking lot? Stormwater Infiltration System Installed in Milford!

This may look like a normal parking lot, but beneath the surface lies a large underground infiltration system located near Fino Field in Milford.

In nature, most rainwater soaks into the ground and slowly travels through the soil, filtering out pollutants as it makes its way to our streams and rivers. However, when we build cities, rainwater hits impervious surfaces like roofs, sidewalks, and roads, and becomes runoff, washing pollution from city streets directly into Milford’s storm drain pipe system and into the Charles River. To combat this and mimic the natural water cycle, we collaborate with local communities to install green stormwater infrastructure, such as this stormwater infiltration basin.

This infiltration basin by Fino Field in Milford treats polluted stormwater runoff from over 50 acres that previously flowed untreated directly into the Charles. (28 of those acres are impervious.) The Fino Field infiltration system can hold over 22,000 CF of water* catching the first ¼” of rain, this “first flush” carries the bulk of stormwater pollution. By capturing it, this system reduces pollution by over 75%. The infiltration basin keeps polluted runoff out of stormwater pipes and lets it soak back into the earth, which mitigates flood risk, improves water quality, and enhances climate resilience.

So though this looks like your average parking lot, it’s actually a nature-based solution!