Green infrastructure uses vegetation, soils, and natural processes to manage water and create healthier urban environments. Green infrastructure refers to stormwater management systems that mimic nature by soaking up and storing water.
Stormwater runoff from urban areas delivers many pollutants to our canals, lakes, and rivers-including pathogens, nutrients, sediment and heavy metals. By retaining rainfall where it lands, green infrastructure reduces flooding and improves the quality of our surrounding water bodies. Water that is retained can infiltrate into the ground and recharge groundwater. Stormwater that is detained is treated naturally by GI before it enters our canals, lakes, and rivers.
Examples of Green Infrastructure
Downspout Disconnection, Rainwater Harvesting (Rain Barrels and rain Cisterns), Rain Gardens, Bioswales, Permeable Pavements, Bio-retention Cells, Green Roofs, French Drain (i.e. Gravel Trench), and native tree plantings.
The Sewerage and Water Board issued Requests for Proposals in 2014 and 2015 from qualified environmental professionals to implement a variety of GI projects which include education, outreach, and installation of demonstration projects. SWB will spend $2.5 million averaged over 5 years on these projects. This map illustrates the variety of projects we are implementing as well as progress toward our goal of reaching all neighborhoods across the city. Click on each location in the map to find out more information about each project.