How One Midwest Treatment Plant Gives Back to Mother Nature

A constructed grassland on a water plant site that was once a farm is now home to abundant native plants and a rich variety of wildlife.

Apr 17, 2017 | by Jeff Smith |

Plant Aesthetics

How One Midwest Treatment Plant Gives Back to Mother Nature — A covey of seven quail approaches a feeder in the grassland that was created at the Phillips Street Water Treatment Plant.

Kokomo Philips Street Prairie Grass Photo With Birds

Kokomo Philips Street Prairie Grass Photo 1

Creating a field of native grasses, wildflowers and trees to attract nesting birds and other wildlife has been rewarding for operators of Indiana American Water’s Phillips Street Water Treatment Plant near Kokomo, Indiana.Since 2007, when the 2 mgd treatment plant was built on the site of a former dairy farm, species including quail, red-winged blackbirds, warblers, grasshopper sparrows, killdeer and other birds have established nests and thrive on the constructed grassland habitat. Bright-colored wildflowers such as the yellow snakeroot attract pollinating honeybees and butterflies. Plenty of grasshoppers, crickets and other insects provide food for the birds.The treatment plant, its backwash

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