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.

Background

Sand Creek is currently listed as impaired for failing to meet federal Clean Water Act standards. Sand Creek is impaired for aquatic life due to excess sediment, phosphorus, poor habitat, and altered hydrology. This project will directly address several of these issues and improve local water quality.

Learn more about the Clean Water Act and Aquatic Life Impairments.

Project Goals

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 Creek 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.

Project Funding

This project is funded by the Coon Creek Watershed District with grant funds from the MN Clean Water Fund.

Project Contact

David Petry, Water Restoration and Protection Coordinator