Media Contact:
Brian Deurloo, Frog Creek Partners 307-439-9570
Liz Smith, SOVA Innovation Hub 434-570-1312
South Boston, Virginia –The SOVA Innovation Hub ignited a community project using Microsoft funding to help restore and protect the Dan River from the threat of stormwater pollution.
The SOVA Innovation Hub purchased over 50 Gutter Bin stormwater filtration systems from Frog Creek Partners to be installed in the towns of South Boston, Chase City and Boydton. Once installed, the towns will take over the routine maintenance and cleaning of the Gutter Bins.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Microsoft and Frog Creek Partners to help clean and protect the water in Southern Virginia,” said South Boston town manager Tom Raab.
“A lot of people don’t realize that the pollution on our streets often ends up in the Dan River,” added Chase City town manager Dusty Forbes. “The Gutter Bin will help stop that from happening.”
Each Gutter Bin captures an average of about 200 pounds of pollution per year per storm drain. The team expects to prevent at least 10,000 pounds (5 tons) of pollution from dumping into the Dan River every year.
“The Gutter Bin acts like a coffee filter for storm drains. It removes cigarette butts, trash, and other toxic pollutants from stormwater to help protect and restore watersheds,” said Brian Deurloo, Frog Creek Partners founder and president. “Scientists have found that one smoked cigarette butt placed into a liter of water will kill 5 of 10 fish.”
“This project is a terrific example of the power of business and municipalities coming together in public-private partnership to meet the need of the community,” added Lauren Mathena, Director of Economic Development and Community Engagement for the SOVA Innovation Hub. “We are proud to help three very important local towns make a difference.”
“Microsoft wants to be a good community partner and help protect the watershed it uses,” explained Jeremy Satterfield, Virginia’s Microsoft Community Lead. “Microsoft is committed to protecting our way of life in Southern Virginia.”
Frog Creek Partners worked with the Towns of South Boston, Chase City, and Boydton to identify storm drains that most in need of a Gutter Bin. The Gutter Bins are being installed in early November 2022 and each respective town is responsible for the maintenance.
Frog Creek Partners’ Gutter Bin stormwater filtration system removes pollution from storm drains to help make rivers and oceans cleaner. Frog Creek Partners’ broad customer base includes municipalities and governments, as well as corporate and industrial stakeholders seeking to improve local water quality. Frog Creek Partners is a Wyoming company headquartered in Casper. Its products are engineered, manufactured, and assembled in the United States.