Calling Attention to Willingboro's Storm Water Creek System

English VInes the culprits destroying over passes and other areas in Willingboro

If you live in Willingboro you'll notice we have an extensive storm water creek system. "Our town has a network of storm water creeks, all of the street sewers collect rain water runoff and dump it directly into those creeks. The creeks run under roadways in what are called culverts," says a concerned resident that seems very acknowledgeable about the damages to Willinboro's creeks. Whether through tropical storms that cause massive power outages, or trees simply falling on powerlines. "If you recall, Levitt parkway collapsed in '18. A large section of Garfield east flooded when dead trees floated downstream and collapsed the culvert that runs under Levitt. It was a HUGE bill for the township. Similarly, this last tropical storm caused massive power outages here. Most of those downed wires were the result of trees falling in the storm water creeks and taking out PSEG wires. Another HUGE bill that is still be argued over. The problem is not the trees. The problem is English ivy, an invasive plant that has wiped out almost all of the native vegetation in our creeks. We have to take it out." 

According to Dengarden: English Ivy, Facts, Uses, and Problems: "English Ivy is often said to cause walls to break down as it sends its roots into crevices. However, some researchers say that instead of causing crumbling, the plant often attaches to sections of walls that are already starting to crumble and have many crevices that the roots can enter.

Supporters of the plant say that ivy growing on the outside of a building helps a wall by providing thermal insulation, keeping it cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Some people claim that the plant traps water next to the wall, increasing structural damage, while others say that the waxy covering on ivy leaves repels water from the wall instead. They say that the plant can protect walls from heat, cold, humidity, and pollution. They also say that the rootlets cause no or very minor damage to walls. If there is existing damage to a wall before the ivy grows, however, the rootlets may penetrate the cracks and cause further harm.

It can certainly be difficult to remove ivy from a wall once it's attached, since it clings to the wall very tightly. Bits of plaster may be removed with the ivy and pieces of root and ugly marks may be left behind."

Black Line News is here to not only notify residences, WMUA and the Willingboro town council of an ongoing problem that can be solved by simply removing these vines. "If we don't, we will simply be dealing with more and more collapsed culverts, flooding, and downed wires. I urge you to take a look at any of our creeks and see for yourself," our concerned residence stated. And we here at Black Line News refuse for you to be a lone voice in this matter. 

WMUA, and Willingboro Town council Black Line News is looking forward to not only a response, but a solution to a problem that is very costly and will continue to be even more expensive if left unattended. 

Black Line Would like to thank our concern resident for bringing this to our attention, out of respect we will not mention our residence name. Hopefully we can resolve this issue without it further costing the city of Willingboro unnecessary funds for a problem that can be solved easily.

https://dengarden.com/gardening/English-Ivy-Facts-Uses-and-Problems