Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act
A 21st Century Approach
In December 2009, the Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act of 2009 was introduced in the United States House of Representatives.
In July 2010, the Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act of 2010 was introduced in the United States Senate.
These bills prioritizes green infrastructure as an alternative to traditional hard infrastructure fixes. Green Infrastructure is defined within the bills as a stormwater (rainwater) management technique that preserves the natural hydrology of an area to help reduce stormwater (rainwater) runoff from hard surfaces.
Capture Rain Where It Falls
“Green infrastructure offers a 21st century approach to managing our nation’s stormwater,” stated Jacky Grimshaw, Vice President for Policy at the Chicago-based Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT), a think-and-do tank founded in 1978.
“By replicating, restoring, and protecting the natural hydrology of the landscape, water is infiltrated where it falls, filtering out contaminants and reducing the volume of stormwater that overwhelms our water infrastructure systems.”
“From the neighborhood scale rain barrel to a watershed scale system of green roofs, permeable pavements, and wetland restoration, green infrastructure has the flexibility and economic viability to protect and restore clean water supplies for communities.”
To Learn More:
To read the complete story, click on Water-Centric Green Infrastructure: 'Moving from market-niche to market-share' across North America
Posted July 2010