Kansas City, Missouri, could provide a model for incorporation of green infrastructure toward solving sewage overflow issues

WASHINGTON – The city of Kansas City, Mo., has agreed to make extensive improvements to its sewer systems, at a cost estimated to exceed $US2.5 billion over 25 years, to eliminate unauthorized overflows of untreated raw sewage and to reduce pollution levels in urban storm water, the Justice Department and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have announced.

The plan is also structured to encourage the city to use natural or engineered “green infrastructure,” such as green roofs, rain gardens and permeable pavement, to minimize stormwater burdens on the improved system. This will provide a model for the incorporation of green infrastructure and technology toward solving overflow issues.

“This is a landmark day in the history of Kansas City,” said Karl Brooks, EPA Regional Administrator. “This agreement charts a course for the largest infrastructure project in the city's history, and what we believe to be one of the largest municipal green infrastructure project undertaken anywhere in the nation.”

“These provisions put one of the nation's largest municipal sewer systems on a steady path toward compliance with the Clean Water Act by committing it to address deficiencies that have harmed the environment and posed risks to public health and safety for decades. Over time, our area streams and rivers should become much cleaner and safer as a result.”

To learn more, click on Kansas City, Missouri, to Spend $2.5 Billion to Eliminate Sewer Overflows.

Posted May 2010