Researchers from USF and UF are working to prevent pollution from seeping into a local stormwater pond that flows into Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Through a $1.5 million grant from the EPA, the team is installing a bio-infiltration system at Aaran’s Pond in Tampa’s University Area Community, where more than one in three residents live below the federal poverty level.
“We’re calling them inert zombies due to their lack of life,” says USF’s Sarina Ergas. “If you look at the difference between a stormwater pond in a wealthy neighborhood and one in a low-income neighborhood – it’s day and night in terms of how they benefit the community.” USF is collaborating with UF’s Mary Lusk, the local community development corporation, and others on the project.
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