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Using Rainwater to Grow Livable Communities
Sustainable Stormwater
Best Management Practices (BMPs)
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Basic Principles• Treat water as a resource, not a waste product
• Design to mimic or replicate the natural hydrology of a site
• Design to address issues of water quality, quantity and amenity
• Accommodate the standards and expectations of the local community
• Infiltrate, detain, retain
• Start small, build from there
• Collaboration is key
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What Do BMPs Look Like?
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Rain Gardens: Kansas City, MO
Raingardens are bioretention areas that increase infiltration, recharge groundwater, and improve overall water quality
McCarthy Garden in Kansas City
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Ecoroof: Chicago, IL
An ecoroof is a roof that is planted with vegetation. It can reduce the heat imprint of a building and reduce off-site runoff
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Detention and Infiltration Areas:Belleview, WA
Detention and infiltration areas reduce the amount of off-site runoff and the speed with which water enters local waterbodies
High flow storage area next to recreational facilities
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Right of Way Enhancements: Portland, OR
Street right-of-ways can be modified to capture runoff from roadways
Green Street Swales - New Seasons Market
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Residential Communities: Denver, CO
Detention areas, planted with native plants, perform a
stormwater retention and water quality improvement
function.
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What Can
Sustainable Stormwater Practices
Do For Me?
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Benefits of Sustainable Stormwater Practices
• Reduce Runoff and Improve Water
Quality
• Add Amenity
• Meet Regulations
• Save Money
• Enhance Funding Options
• Improve Wildlife Habitat
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Reduce Runoff: Burnsville, MN
Monitoring has shown that
• The rain gardens in the Burnsville rain garden demonstration project capture at least (and often more than) the first 0.9” of rainfall
• There is a 90% reduction in runoff rates from the neighborhood with rain gardens as compared to a similar neighborhood without rain gardens
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Add Amenity: Philadelphia, PA
The Philadelphia Public Works Department is a partner in the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's Neighborhood Transformation Initiative, which transforms vacant lots into community-friendly spaces.
Converted spaces offer stormwater management benefits because the park-like spaces are outfitted with berms and swales that collect and infiltrate rainfall and runoff, and natural vegetation promotes evapotranspiration.
Vacant lot at 2300 North 3rd Street before greening
Site was regraded to capture stormwater and planted with trees, shrubs, and grass
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Meet Regulations: Truckee Meadows, NV
A Regional Stormwater Management Quality Program was developed in response to TMDL and NPDES Phase I permit requirements
Program components include:– Structural BMP Controls
– Land Use Planning and LID Tools
– Public Outreach
Vegetated swale at Costco parking lot
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Save Money: Seattle, WA
Seattle Public Utilities has projected that its Natural Drainage Installations are at least 25 percent less expensive than traditional stormwater systems due to decreased build and infrastructure maintenance costs. Broadview Green Grid Vegetated Swale
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Enhance Funding Options:Milwaukee, WI
The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District partnered with Alterra Coffee Roasters to renovate a historic site with stormwater management features to provide community amenity and stormwater management education
Stormwater is managed entirely on-site at the former Milwaukee River Flushing
Station, now an Alterra Coffee Roasters café and interpretive center
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Improve Wildlife Habitat:Orlando, FL
Wetlands restoration, greenspace corridors, and other environmental enhancements are standard features in Orlando's re-development projects.
Greenwood Urban Wetlands
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How can we implement BMPs in our community?
