The County of Grande Prairie is offering two free public information sessions at the end of the month to learn more about bioswales, the environmentally friendly storm management systems in Clairmont ditches that are designed to manage and clean polluted stormwater.

The first information session will be held on Tuesday, October 22 in Clairmont at the Lakeview Seniors Housing from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and the second session from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Wellington Resource Centre.

“Bioswales have tremendous environmental benefits as they can reduce polluted stormwater runoff from roads and treat the stormwater,” said Jill Henry, Rural Extension Officer. “This is safer and healthier for the community and helps prevent contaminated stormwater from entering Clairmont Lake.”

Henry added that polluted stormwater from roads and parking is caused by vehicles, construction debris and other activities.

With urban areas generating as much as 20 times more runoff than natural landscapes, these bioswales minimize erosion, and filter and cleanse runoff from roads in a small footprint using carefully placed vegetation, plants and soils.

To register to attend an information session, visit www.countygp.ab.ca/bioswales or contact Agricultural Services at 780-532-9727.