Bridgewater South Biochar and Iron-Enhanced Sand Filter (BSBIESF)

The Coon Creek Watershed District in partnership with the City of Blaine, the City of Coon Rapids, and the Anoka County Highway Department will be constructing a large, in-ground filter to reduce pollution in Sand Creek. This creek currently does not meet federal and state water quality standards for aquatic life and recreation.

The Goal

This project will be located at the outlet of Knoll Creek (Ditch 39) in Coon Rapids. The project will provide pollution reduction benefits to the entire 2.2-mile impaired reach of Sand Creek as well as Coon Creek, which is located just downstream of the project site.

Upon completion, this project will reduce the amount of pollution entering Sand Creek. Current estimates suggest the project will reduce total suspended sediment loading by 1.4-2 tons/yr, total phosphorus loading by 19-29 lbs/yr and E. coli loading by 1,393 billion organisms per year, making progress towards meeting TMDL Wasteload Allocations for both Sand and Coon Creek.

How It Works

This filter will use sand, iron filings, and biochar filter media to bind and remove phosphorus and E. coli bacteria from urban stormwater runoff. The iron removes phosphorus, a nutrient that supports rapid algal growth, and the biochar removes E. coli, a bacteria commonly found in animal waste.

More details will be posted as the project develops.

Funding

This project is supported by a Clean Water Fund grant.