This piece was originally published in the Winter 2016-2017 issue of the Old Dominion Sierran, the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter's quarterly newletter. The full issue can be found here.
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Leah Coles of Purcellville received a Gold Award for her community service project, Grattix, Rain Garden in a Box, which she built at Blue Ridge Middle School.
A self-contained natural filtration device designed to reduce pollutants from roof rain water, Grattix will remove up to 90 per-cent of the polluting zinc from brake dust, galvanized roofing materials and downspouts, minimizing the negative impact pollutants have on ground water.
Grattix, a low-tech, low-cost and low-maintenance way to help industry meet safer ground water requirements, can also be used on farms and in commercial areas.
The name “Grattix” was coined from the names of inventors, Mary Mattix and Matt Graves, leaders in storm water management.
Leah built two Grattix from 325-gallon containers. She constructed a perforated drainage system on the bottom, layering upwards with drainage rock, pea gravel, sand, soil and finally plant materials.
Having these at the school will give students and those who drive past on the Kiss and Go, the opportunity to see the Grattix in action. Teachers can use the Grattix to demonstrate earth science principles.
Leah hopes to inspire environmentalists and industry alike to construct Grattix under their downspouts and make a differ-ence in water quality.
For more information about Grattix, go to http://facebook.com/grattix or the official Grattix website.