PLANO, Texas — The city of Plano is taking an innovative approach to combat the litter problem in its creeks.
Olivia Osborne, Plano's litter coordinator, tells WFAA that a new litter boom pilot project is already reducing the amount of trash that collects along the banks of the creek. The city has installed used pool lane floats in the creek to act as booms.
"At some point [the pool floats] lose their buoyancy, so [the Parks department] gave them to us," said Osborne. "This captures [the trash] while it's in the water still right near the outlet," Osborne said.
The pool floats, which are wrapped in netting and tied to both sides of the creek, are designed to stop the trash before it flows further down the creek and into the lake. The pilot project was first started in July of last year.
"We're not just affecting our stuff. We're affecting our downstream neighbors," said Carolyn Russell, the city's Environmental Quality supervisor.
The pilot project is located at a portion of the creek nearest the city's Environmental Education Center along West Plano Parkway. The creek leads right into White Rock Creek and, ultimately, White Rock Lake.
Osborne tells WFAA crews clean out the debris captured by the boom after about every two rain events.
Most of the trash that collects in the creek are plastic bags and bottles. Osborne says there's also a large number of cigarette butts that people throw into the creek.
Russell tells WFAA you are bound to find all kinds of things in creeks, from 'styrofoam cups to full-fledged lawn mowers.'
"I just wish people consider what they're using and where it's going after they use it," said Osborne.
After the success of this project, the city plans to employ the pool floats at Rowlett Creek in the near future.
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