Category:

The report highlights several innovative green infrastructure stormwater projects. “By examining projects over diverse parts of the country, readers will be able to assess trends and techniques that consider various stakeholders in their stormwater projects,” wrote Margaret Buranen. “There are a variety of ways to handle rainwater runoff with green infrastructure and many factors to consider when evaluating options.”

The Stormwater Utility provides the City with the capability to influence landowner actions on the ground for the common good. “The utility is both an equitable and proportionate billing system. It also builds awareness of how to reduce our environmental and utility impact and find ways to incentivise more sustainable choices for water management,” stated Fraser Work. “Building climate change resilience is the responsibility of everyone!”

Right now, big storms can overwhelm the city’s combined stormwater and sewer system, causing raw sewage to overflow into rivers and streams. If a surface is paved over — or has a building on it — rain will run off it into the sewers. But take the building away and the rainwater can seep into the ground instead. “We were amazed to find that the building demolitions actually resulted in a large amount of water capture for relatively very few dollars of investment,” said Brian Hoelscher.

The effects of the work are spreading throughout Gary, Indiana’s neighborhoods. “They’re sprucing up their own properties,” Brenda Scott-Henry said. “One guy said he’s going to put up a white picket fence, have a barbecue and invite his family over to look at the site. We have neighbors taking care of three, four, five lawns on a block just to keep it looking good.”

“The program came about through a fortunate confluence of personalities, interests and skills – it is not something that a community can necessarily just decide to do, and presto, it happens. Remove any one of the individuals or organizations who played roles in the process, and North Delta’s school and community rain gardens either would not have happened at all, or would have been much less successful,” stated Deborah Jones.

The Stormwater Pioneers program showcases innovation and a true dedication by property owners and others to decrease pollution. “We’re hoping to keep trash, debris and other pollution out of the water supply so that everyone can enjoy a clean Schuylkill River. If we can play a small part in making the environment better for the next generation, that’s a major plus for us,” stated Joe Jaconski.

“When much of California is facing drought and limited water supplies, capturing and reusing every drop of water will not only be clever, but crucial. By moving water away from the people and places that need it, stormwater cannot percolate into the ground and replenish water we keep drilling deeper and deeper to reach. Californians can counteract the negative impacts of stormwater runoff by promoting water infiltration,” wrote Paula Luu.

“Many stormwater problems are the result of excessive runoff from hard, impervious surfaces. Anyone can visit the Green Up DC site to look at their own property and find out how to reduce stormwater,” said Jenny Guillaume.

“Rain gardens are being embraced worldwide because they do their job so well. The worry is that these same, very efficient rain gardens that are cropping up in our parking strips and front yards are doing their job so well that they could become residential toxic sites. But in fact are they? Not according to the research that’s available,” writes Lisa Stiffler.

“Information on how well green infrastructure facilities perform is critical to quantify their benefits, lower maintenance costs, ensure public safety, and improve overall design and function. n particular, information was desired on how well the facilities could reduce peak flows and total flow volume, which have implications for watershed health and regulatory compliance in the combined sewer system,” stated Tim Kurtz.