Seven green infrastructure projects that lead to cleaner water rain or shine

Have you ever walked through a neighborhood and noticed that things looked a little greener? Maybe a large bed of flowers and plants next to the road, a row of trees planted by the sidewalk or a roof with grass growing on it?

Well these features aren’t just there to add color. They’re examples of green infrastructure that’s designed to reduce the fastest growing source of pollution to the Chesapeake Bay—stormwater runoff!

When it rains, stormwater carries dirt, grease, fertilizer, metals, plastics and other harmful substances into sewer systems that drain to our waterways. Green infrastructure projects are designed to capture and clean all that stormwater, as opposed to impervious or non-absorbent surfaces like asphalt and concrete. In addition to treating stormwater, green infrastructure also reduces flooding, keeps streets cooler and provides habitat for wildlife.

Below are seven green infrastructure projects that you’ll find across the Bay watershed. Put together, these projects go a long way toward improving the health of both local and downstream waters while beautifying the neighborhoods they’re in.

Regenerative stream channel in the “Duck Decoy Capital of the World”

In 2019, the city of Havre de Grace, Maryland, took control of a lingering stormwater runoff issue at their downtown promenade, Concord Point. A storm drain pipe running about 175 feet was draining untreated runoff directly into the Susquehanna River, where critical underwater grasses provide habitat for fish, shellfish and waterfowl. Working with environmental engineers Underwood & Associates, the city replaced most of that storm drain pipe with a regenerative stream channel that begins behind the Duck Decoy Museum and weaves its way down to the river. The channel, which treats 20 acres of stormwater runoff, is lined by a walking path that makes the downtown area even more inviting.

Beautifying a commercial district in Richmond

As part of an effort to revitalize Fulton, a commercial district in Richmond, Virginia, numerous partners are building out a vibrant green street filled with street trees, rain gardens and permeable pavement. So far, 6,850 square feet of impervious surface have been replaced with permeable pavement or vegetation that’s designed to soak up stormwater runoff, beautify the area and attract wildlife like birds and butterflies. As a result of this project, stormwater runoff that would drain to the nearby James River has been reduced by 17%. Included in the project is also a stormwater-inspired sculpture that celebrates the community’s innovation, diversity and creativity. 

Making a Lancaster intersection safer and cleaner

At the intersection of Plum and Walnut Streets in downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania, a sharp turn regularly resulted in car accidents and congestion. Identifying the area as a prime location for a green infrastructure project, the city realigned the intersection and installed rain gardens, a patio with permeable pavers and a 900-gallon cistern that captures rainwater. According to the city, this has greatly reduced traffic issues while preventing over 1.4 million gallons of stormwater from entering local waterways each year. The green infrastructure space is right outside the patio of Lancaster Brewing Company, which gives customers a vegetated barrier between them and the street. 

Senior living community brightened up by rain garden

Located right next to Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C., Knollwood Life Plan Community is home to some 300 residents, most of whom are retired military personnel and their families. In 2021, the Nature Conservancy worked with the community to develop a 4,700 square foot rain garden and a pond that captures roughly 2.2 million gallons of stormwater runoff each year. The rain garden includes a variety of native and flowering plants to be enjoyed by wildlife and residents of the community.

Martinsburg fights flooding with green infrastructure

Nestled into the lower Shenandoah Valley, Martinsburg, West Virginia, is a charming city, although its stormwater runs off to the Potomac River. For years, the city has been focused on protecting its downtown from flooding that can occur during heavy rainfall. So far, leaders in Martinsburg have installed a combination of green infrastructure techniques including street trees, a rain garden, grass swales and a road made of permeable pavers. Funded in part by West Virginia’s Department of Environmental Protection, this investment has made downtown Martinsburg even more appealing, safe and environmentally friendly. 

Green roofs and streets in Binghamton, New York

Binghamton, New York, is embracing green infrastructure as it continues to improve its downtown. Several years ago, the city installed a green roof on top of Binghamton City Hall that treats approximately 325,000 gallons of rain water annually. The city also recently completed portions of a green street in its arts district that includes street trees and rain gardens. Through this work the city is reducing runoff to the nearby Chenango and Susquehanna Rivers, while cooling the streets and managing the city’s flooding. 

Rain gardens alleviate pressure on a storm drain by the Nanticoke River

In Seaford, Delaware, a street that dead ends right in front of the Nanticoke River frequently flooded due to a storm drain that would clog during rainstorms. This resulted in untreated runoff going directly into the river. To help resolve the issue, the city implemented a number of green infrastructure features like bioretention areas, a permeable brick sidewalk and native plants that were designed by the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance. The Conwell Green Street features help absorb and filter stormwater before it reaches the river, improving water quality, reducing flooding and providing essential habitat for birds, pollinators and other wildlife. 

Do you have other green infrastructure projects you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments!