Rain Garden @Blk 51

Designed by the School of Life Sciences & Chemical Technology, the Rain Garden @Blk51 is a  bio-retention pond about the size of 1.5 basketball courts. 12 plant species planted around the pond share a common characteristic: they can bio-remediate or absorb toxins such as heavy metals, sulfur and lead. When it rains, the Rain Garden collects rainwater and runoff from its surrounding. As the water seeps through the sand and pebbles, the plants absorb the toxins in them before the water is discharged into the drains and eventually the reservoirs. This reduces the energy required to treat the water. 

These plants are also flowering shrubs that come in different hues of orange, red, pink and blue. They help to enhance biodiversity by attracting butterflies and birds to the rain garden.  

The rain garden is an outdoor teaching classroom on topics such as hydrology and water purification. It is also a technological test bed for research projects, and a recreational space that encourages social interaction between students and staff.