Jul 17, 2008 5:42 pm US/Eastern
'Smart Sponge' May Help NY Waterways Go Green
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Many families are taking steps to go green, and so are many cities. Every year health officials close beaches when toxins in the water reach dangerous levels. Now, beach water might soon be a little bit cleaner, thanks to a new eco-friendly product.
New York area beaches offer cool fun under the hot summer sun. But every so often that fun comes to a halt when garbage, oil and other pollutants find their way into the water.
"All of the grease and pollutants and toxins that are on our streets or coming off of our landscape go into the sewer system when it rains," said Dr. Tanya Heikkila of Columbia University, "Typically that system works pretty well."
When that happens, toxic water flows directly to our beaches, rivers and reservoirs. A provision of the Clean Water Act now requires most cities to step up their efforts to keep polluted storm water from seeping into waterways. Several communities are getting the job done with an eco-friendly product called a Smart Sponge.
"Smart Sponge is made of polymers that are combined in an unusual manner," said Glenn Rink, CEO of Ab Tech.
The Smart Sponge costs a fraction of what traditional storm water treatment systems would cost. Rink says that's why Babylon, N.Y., White Plains, N.Y., Newark, N.J. and Norwalk, Conn. have all purchased the product. The sponge typically lasts for two to four years and can be recycled for fuel when it's removed.
Environmentalists say this is just one example of how green products can provide healthy, cost effective solutions to some of our biggest problems.
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