North Carolina State dune infiltration system being installed
The dune infiltration system after installation.
Heavy rains can compromise public safety at the beach. However, a new dune infiltration system developed by North Carolina State University researchers can reduce bacteria in stormwater runoff up to 96%.
North Carolina State researchers published a study on dune infiltration systems in the March 2013 issue of Ecological Engineering. In the 3-year study at Kure Beach, N.C., researchers tested low-cost filtration systems concealed beneath the sand dunes. The dune infiltration systems consist of large, open-bottomed chambers that divert stormwater into the dunes.
Following installation, the dunes were replanted, and vegetation growth exceeded previous levels. In addition, the study found minimal impacts on groundwater, with short-term increases that dissipated within several hours to 2 weeks. Read more.
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