Students learning about physical geography at Spring-Ford Intermediate School will soon have their lesson plans augmented by an unusual resource: part of the school's infrastructure.

Pennsylvania American Water has awarded a $3,600 grant that will be used to build a rainwater harvesting system at the school. The proposed system will capture rainwater to operate the schoolyard pond and stream, as well as irrigate the plants in the school’s garden.

The project will "also serve as a focal point for fifth and sixth-grade lessons on watersheds, wetlands, sustainability, conservation and water management," the company said Wednesday.

“In our seventh year of the Environmental Grant Program, I’m very proud of how we have partnered with so many community groups that share our dedication to the stewardship of Pennsylvania’s water resources,” said Pennsylvania American Water President Kathy L. Pape. “The local grant recipients deserve our support for their innovative project to raise awareness about protecting our watersheds.”

The system is being established by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Resource Conservation and Development Council, a non-profit environmental group.'

Patch thanks Pennsylvania American Water for the press release upon which this report was based.