"It’s ready to take its first sample," said Curtis Hinman director of Washington State University's Low-impact Development Research Program. This device will track the flow of rain water through various soil types.
credit:
Katie Campbell
At the Washington Stormwater Center, Curtis Hinman explains how water travels from the roof to large tubs which collect the water and distribute it to 16 different rain gardens on the site.
credit:
Katie Campbell
Part of the research at WSU's campus in Puyallup is to figure out which plants thrive in a rain garden.
credit:
Katie Campbell
In this rain garden, researchers are studying whether how native grasses perform compared to other plants.
credit:
Katie Campbell
Here's another example of a rain garden with a different combination of plants.
credit:
Katie Campbell
With the pervious pavement research, they're tracking the amount of water flowing through the systems—as well as looking at how well water is filtered.
credit:
Katie Campbell
Up close pervious pavement looks almost like a Rice Krispie treat -- there pockets of air that allow water to pass through.