Ft Worth Times

City Council on Tuesday approved a memorandum of understanding with the Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) to advance the Trinity River Waterwheel Initiative.

The TRWD Board has already approved the collaboration.

The innovative partnership seeks to remove floating litter and debris from the Trinity River by piloting a floating, waterwheel-powered trash interceptor in the Trinity River. The City of Fort Worth, TRWD, Streams & Valleys Inc. and sponsoring partners support a goal of reducing floating litter and debris in the Trinity River.

How it works: The waterwheel will be installed at the Clear Fork of the Trinity River and will remove trash and debris from the river’s surface using hydropower or solar power, containment booms and a conveyor belt system. The waterwheel can:

• Capture up to 50,000 pounds daily of litter and debris, known as floatables.
• Contain floatables at a single point to prevent debris from continuing downstream.
• Utilize reusable refuse containers (dumpsters instead of disposable nets).
• Improve the aesthetics and usability of waterways.
• Improve aquatic ecosystems for fish and wildlife.
• Educate the community about environmental stewardship.

What happens next: The City of Fort Worth will issue an invitation to bid on the project. Installation is expected to be completed by fall 2024.

Waterwheel funding: The City of Fort Worth and project partners are still accepting sponsorship donations. To learn more or to donate, individuals, groups or businesses can go online.

Interested parties can also contact Streams & Valleys Inc. to sponsor the waterwheel project through a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Original source can be found here.