Last year St. Cloud State University’s "Q" parking lot was renovated into a storm water pond with soil and native flowers to help control runoff to the Mississippi River. 

The Q-Lot Pollution Reduction project is now showing improvement. Facilities Management Safety Administrator Joe Teff says cleaner water is entering the river.

The project has reduced flooding, removed pollutants, controlled runoff volume and flows, recharged groundwater and provided a more natural habitat for wildlife.

Stearns County and SCSU oversaw the construction project funded by a $196,000 grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).

Q-lot is located south of the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center.

To learn more about the renovation process, visit KVSC’s podcast page for an in-depth news feature.