MMSD Green Luminary® Award | School Sisters of St. Francis

03/21/23 08:00:am

Consisting of more than 35,000 square feet of permeable pavement, the School Sisters of St. Francis Project is managing water where it falls underneath its parking lot. The project helps protect the Kinnickinnic River and Lake Michigan by managing over 130,000 gallons of stormwater each time it rains.

School Sisters of St. Francis is managing water where it falls underneath its parking lot with more than 35,000 square feet of permeable pavement, The project helps protect the Kinnickinnic River and Lake Michigan by managing over 130,000 gallons of stormwater each time it rains using porous pavement system.

In the greater Milwaukee area, over 60% of all impervious surfaces are roads, parking lots, and driveways. When it rains these hard surfaces create a lot of stormwater runoff that can overwhelm our sewer system or flow directly into our rivers. In contrast, porous pavement systems allow runoff to soak into the pavement surface and engineered stone layers below. The water then slowly moves down into the ground and is connected to local stormwater sewers or can be collected and stored for future use.

The School Sisters of St. Francis project was part of a larger St. Joseph’s Chapel Renovation and the creation of Chapel Gardens, a 63-unit affordable housing building. The organization has long been engaged with the surrounding neighborhood, including helping to create the neighborhood-focused via Community Development Corporation (CDC) (formerly Layton Boulevard West Neighbors). The renovations include a community gathering space, library, business center, and fitness center for residents. Direct access will also be maintained to St. Joseph Chapel.

The School Sisters of St. Francis strive to effect systemic social change, working on behalf of those marginalized by society. They help people access the resources needed to improve their lives and advocate to improve public policy for the benefit of women, children, immigrants, and the environment.

Project construction at the School Sisters of St. Francis for the Permeable Pavement Parking lot
Project construction at the School Sisters of St. Francis for the Permeable Pavement Parking lot
The School Sisters of St. Francis for the Permeable Pavement Parking lot
The School Sisters of St. Francis for the Permeable Pavement Parking lot
The Permeable Pavement Parking lot project team at School Sisters of St. Francis.

What is a Green Luminary^® Award?

The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District gives Green Luminary^® awards to businesses, organizations, and communities that implement exceptional green infrastructure design projects that benefit our lakes and rivers, as well as our communities.

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How You Can Help Protect Lake Michigan

Plant a Rain Garden

Rain gardens help reduce sewer overflows and water pollution by absorbing stormwater runoff from hard surfaces into the ground naturally. Learn how to plant a rain garden and help protect Lake Michigan.

Text: WATERDROP to 414-296-4422 for Española texto GOTADEAGUA a 414-296-4422

Receive Water Drop Alert text messages when heavy rain threatens the area. When a Water Drop Alert has been issued, a reminder is sent to use less water.

What do you do when an alert is issued?

Hold off on washing dishes and laundry
Take a shorter shower
Empty your rain barrel

Install a Rain Barrel

Get FREE water by the barrel from your roof and use it when it’s dry outside to use in your landscape. Rain barrels help keep excess water out of the sewer system and help reduce water pollution.