Graham High School in Alamance County will not be removing its Halloween decor at the conclusion of today’s festivities.

A team led by Bill Hunt, assistant professor and extension specialist in the department of biological and agricultural engineering, constructed a bio-retention area on the high school’s property in the shape of a demon’s head.

“We got in contact with them,” Hunt said. “We got a grant through a Piedmont Triad Council of Governments to install a demo storm water device in Graham County. We drove around and found this. We like to do things at school because there is usually some land available and always an educational component. We contacted the school to see if they would be interested and they were.”

According to Hunt, after sampling runoff water from the school’s parking lot, the team found fecal coli form, nitrogen and phosphorous.

The presence of these substances is not only an issue on school grounds, but might cause problems elsewhere.

“Because they are in the Jordan Lake watershed there is a large concern for too many nutrients which would impact fish populations and other aquatic communities,” Hunt said.

The school’s mascot was the inspiration for the demon-shaped design.

Ryan Smith, extension associate in the department of biological and agricultural engineering, designed the demon.

“Ryan realized that the mascot of Graham High School is the red devils,” Hunt said. “He designed it so that from the air it looks like a pair of devil eyes. If it rains too much, the devil will cry.”

Hunt said his team closely monitors the run-off.

“One of the eyes is lined and one is unlined so we can see how much water is leaving,” Bill Lord, an area agent for environmental education, said.

According to Lord, the existing lining is made from artificial soil.

“In the bottom of the bed is something called Carolina Stalite, which is an expanded slate — artificial soil. It’s almost volcanic; it’s very lightweight,” he said. “The manufacturer made us a deal so we’re trying this soil to see if it works.”

Lord indicated that plant life is important to the effectiveness of the project.

“I’m the horticulture specialist on the team,” he said. “I help them with plant material which is a very important component of these things. They work because they are living. They have plants in them — and soil.”

In addition, Lord was a member of the team who aided in the construction process, a process he said took two weeks.

According to Lord, the goal of the project is clearly defined.

“The bottom line is that we’re trying to remove nitrogen, phosphorous and bacteria,” he said.

“The bio-retention area is not the first of its kind in the state of North Carolina,” added Lord.

“I’m part of the youth education team and we also have a broader organization called the watershed education network,” he said. “We are doing water quality work statewide.”

Lord said improvement comes with the construction of each new project.

“We’ve got them all over the state,” he said. “Every time we do one we change it and they get a little better.” Smith is currently out of the country and was unavailable for comment.