Toxic to Tranquil: Transforming a Contaminated Creek in Connecticut

While the industrial era ushered in economic opportunities and more efficient ways to produce goods, it was often at the expense of the environment. Manufacturing facilities throughout the country contaminated nearby soils and waterways for generations to come by generating and disposing hazardous waste and substances. Now, there are federal programs in place to clean up and restore these abandoned areas (Superfund sites) to eliminate environmental contaminants.

As part of an effort under way to rectify one such site, Sevenson Environmental Services selected SWCA to provide ecological restoration solutions and complete the final stage of remediation for a creek in Stratford, Connecticut.

Creek restoration in early phase, winter 2023

Creek Restoration in early phase, winter 2023

SWCA’s team of ecologists and landscape architects consulted on natural design plans in the winter of 2022 through the spring of 2023 that are now coming to life.

“Our ability to provide recommendations from a feasibility and ecological standpoint, understand the science behind the design, and then implement the restoration is very unique for an environmental consulting firm,” said Naomi Valentine, an ecological restoration team lead at SWCA. “We are able to provide guidance on project plans, inform edits where necessary, and then put boots on the ground.”

The restoration work included installing biodegradable, wildlife-safe coir logs (made of coconut fiber material) at the weak points of the slope to reinforce the area’s most vulnerable to washout. SWCA’s team then laid coir fabric along the slope to secure the topsoil, inserted live stakes (dormant but live wood cuttings), and disseminated native seeds across the floodway to revegetate. These methods work in tandem to control erosion and secure the bank from washing away in an inevitable high-volume storm event.

Biodegradable coconut fiber fabric laid along slope to secure topsoil, Spring 2023

Coir logs, coconut fiber fabric, live stakes, and native seeding to stabilize bank and secure creek from erosion, Spring 2023

Additionally, SWCA designed and carried out a tree and shrub planting plan for the south bank of the creek, providing the dual benefits of increasing wildlife habitat and beautifying the landscape for businesses and residents. The transformation of the site, now fully planted and restored, is significant.

Vegetation planted, Summer 2024

Vegetation planted, Summer 2024

“Sevenson is a fantastic and collaborative partner in projects like these,” said Valentine. “The Sevenson and SWCA field staff worked together effectively to meet a common goal. This bank is now restored and free of hazardous contaminants – much better shape than how we found it.”

SWCA’s team on site, Summer 2024