AQUAGARDEN EMERGES AS A SUSTAINABLE OASIS

By Kevin Druley •Photos courtesy of Aquascape Construction

d Beaulieu describes himself as “very connected to water,” and that’s without considering how it comprises most of his body.

As vice president of field research and contractor development at Aquascape, a St. Charles company that develops products for manmade ponds and backyard water features, he strives to help customers share that sentiment.

“We’re definitely seeing a big jump in the understanding of all these different things that are happening,” Beaulieu said.

Visitors to the business at 901 Aqualand Way can see for themselves Aquascape’s AquaGarden, which showcases emerging and developing ideas and techniques in garden construction and storm water management. It’s regularly accessible to the public and offers a chance for people to simply get ideas for home or commercial projects, or to start pursuing them.

Nicknamed “The Pond Professor,” Beaulieu – who has focused his studies on limnology, the science of bodies of freshwater, as well as marine biology –explains that the leading cause of coastal water pollution is storm water runoff.

Lawn fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and vehicle debris are among the matter storm water washes away each day.

“Rainwater is a great source of water before it gets dirty, and it gets dirty once it hits the ground,” Beaulieu said. “It picks up pollutants and things like that. But if we can capture it directly off of a roof, it usually is a very, very clean source of water.”

Common methods for collecting this precipitation include using rain barrels and small, underground rainwater capture systems. The AquaGarden provides a look at these as well as what’s on the cutting edge.

One strategy involves using different layers of river rocks and micro-organisms to help clean the water instead of chlorine and harsh chemicals. The natural mixture, when combined with the appropriate flow rate, can be used for drinking water systems and decorative fountains and ponds, Beaulieu said.

Aquascape, which opened in 1991, has expanded its scope through the years, working on numerous state, national and international projects. Its slope is notable, as well.

The “green roof” of the 256,000-square-foot facility was planted with native prairie grass and flowers and features a complete irrigation system. Covering more than four acres, it’s considered the largest “green roof” in North America, quite the surface area of eco-friendliness.

As “The Pond Professor” notes, one inch of water on one acre equals about 27,000 gallons. By using a living roof system instead of a hard surface, water doesn’t run off instantly. Instead, rainwater is held to feed plants while offering habitats for various pollinators and animals.

The roof also maintains a surface temperature similar to ground level.

Meanwhile, the soil protects the facility from the direct sun of the summer and acts as insulation during the winter.

If you’re looking to bring this concept home, however, think again.

“The problem is, unless you’re doing new construction, you can’t just simply add soil onto an existing roof because of weight,” Beaulieu said.

Of course, numerous other technologies and designs for homes and businesses – the ones that blossom under cover of the “green roof” – remain.

“We have more than enough people to assist,” Beaulieu said.