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Is the Basin Still Working After 15 Years?
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A stormwater filtration basin built 15 years ago at Johnson County Community College is still doing its job, according to new water tests, showing no microplastics and healthy pH levels in the filtered water. This matters because these natural wetland filters help clean runoff before it reaches local water supplies, and knowing they still work decades later gives communities confidence in long-term, low-tech solutions for keeping drinking water sources safe and free of contaminants like microplastics.
Is the water basin at Johnson County Community College still filtering water to standard after all of this time? According to the Tests we conducted, the basin is still working. Some of our findings, like no microplastics present, and a good range for pH levels, as well as other tests we ran, support this finding. Testing the water basin for its effectiveness is important not only for Johnson County Community College but also for the people living in Johnson County. The basin was originally constructed under the Urban Stormwater Management Project, and was designed to filter runoff water through a wetland full of many species of plants. We specifically tested water coming from the basin after it was “filtered” to test if any chemicals were added or weren’t taken from the water.
More Papers Like This
JCCC Post Drain Water Quality Study
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Rain that washes off roads and parking lots can carry harmful stuff like lead, pesticides, and microplastics into the water that eventually becomes our drinking water. This study tests whether a specially designed drainage basin at Johnson County Community College—built with layered soils and plants—actually works to filter out these contaminants before they reach our water supply. Since substances like lead and nitrite can be especially dangerous for babies and other vulnerable people, knowing whether this kind of natural filter works could help communities protect drinking water more effectively.
Microplastic retention within infiltration basins used for managed aquifer recharge: Effectiveness and key controlling factors
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When water soaks into the ground to refill underground water supplies (a process called managed aquifer recharge), scientists found that the top layer of sediment acts like a natural filter, trapping about 70% of microplastic particles before they can reach deeper groundwater. This matters because it suggests these recharge systems can help keep our drinking water sources cleaner, though the amount of filtering depended on how long water sat in the basin and other site conditions—meaning not all systems may work equally well.
Abundance, distribution, and composition of microplastics in the filter media of nine aged stormwater bioretention systems
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Researchers analyzed microplastic abundance and distribution in the filter media of nine aged stormwater bioretention systems, finding that these green infrastructure installations accumulate significant microplastic loads, with particles distributed throughout the filter depth rather than concentrating at the surface.
Performance Characteristics of Biological Activated Carbon Adsorption and Filtration in Removing Microparticulates and Natural Organic Matters from River Water
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Researchers found that a special water filter using activated carbon (like charcoal) can remove up to 94% of microplastics and other contaminants from river water that regular filtration systems often miss. The catch: running water through the filter too slowly for too long causes it to clog, so treatment plants need to find the right balance between cleaning the water thoroughly and keeping the system running smoothly. This matters because it points to a practical way to reduce microplastics and other pollutants in the water we drink, which is increasingly showing up in rivers that supply our tap water.
Long-term environmental performance of precast slabs in permeable pavements: hydraulic functionality and pollutant retention in a real-life installation
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Researchers assessed the long-term environmental performance of precast permeable pavement slabs in a real-world installation, finding that accumulated contaminants including microplastics build up within the porous structure over time. The study highlights the dual role of permeable pavements as both stormwater management infrastructure and a potential reservoir for pollutants requiring periodic maintenance.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.