Status: Completed
Funding Status: Funded
Dates: 03/17/2015 - 02/17/2017

The Azevedo bioreactor treats runoff from 10 acres of strawberry fields on the Azevedo Ranch adjacent to Elkhorn Slough. Irrigation and storm water runoff from the strawberry fields travels down farm roads and into a sediment basin where heavier sand particles settle out. Water is actively pumped into the bioreactor inlet from a floating pump powered by a solar panel and battery pack. The pump turns off when the water level falls below a threshold depth. The bioreactor is a pond-lined basin filled with woodchips purchased at the local waste disposal facility, with care to insure a low percentage of eucalyptus. Water levels are controlled by a level control box at the outlet of the bioreactor. Cleaned outlet water is gravity fed into a ditch that carries it to a tidally influenced pond on Elkhorn Slough Foundation property. From the pond it is conveyed by a culvert under railroad tracks and into Elkhorn Slough.

Goals

1) Improve water quality of runoff prior to its entry into Elkhorn Slough

Programs

• Agriculture
• Community Stewardship
• Education and Outreach
• Water Quality

Contact

Pam Krone
831-647-4238
pam.krone@noaa.gov

Photos & Images