FREQUENLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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 green infrastructure before it enters our canals, lakes, and rivers.
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 are all examples of green infrastructure.