b'13 2019 SUSTAINABILITY HIGHLIGHTS REPORTWATER RESOURCES BTV ensures that its actions protect, preserve, and enhancelocal and regional water resources, which include surface water,groundwater, wetlands, and floodplains. In addition to being a key component of the natural environment, water resources also serve important functions for human society by providing drinking water; supporting recreation, transportation, and commerce; and acting as mechanisms for natural hazard mitigation to protect and increase the resilience of surrounding communities. Highlighted Initiatives Wetlands Mitigation EffortsBTV has three State-designated wetlandswhich can negatively impact aquatic life in totaling nearly 35 acres. To help protect thesenearby lakes and streams. The Airports resources, the Airport has introducedsystem treats glycol-contaminated stormwater measures across its facilities and operationsrunoff through an on-site infiltration field that to prevent pollution and comply with allmimics natural cleaning processes. applicable stormwater and water resourceBTV recently completed the installation ofprotection regulations. a new underground stormwater treatment Stormwater Treatment system to treat runoff from one mile of new In 2010, BTV won an Engineering Excellencetaxiway (Taxiway G) at the Airport to prevent Award from the American Council ofcontaminants from directly discharging into Engineering Companies/Vermont Section forthe Winooski River. Based on average annual its runoff treatment system. As an airport in arainfall in the state, approximately 22million winter climate, BTV must use de-icing fluid togallons of runoff will be treated each yearavoid ice build-up on aircraft prior to theirequivalent to over 33 Olympic-sizedeparture. This fluid contains propylene glycol,swimming pools! PHOTO CREDIT: STANTEC'