Green Infrastructure

Green Landscaping / Green Stormwater Infrastructure can help capture and utilize stormwater, preventing it from entering the storm sewer system. This improves water quality, recharges groundwater, reduces flood risks, and protects local waterways. - Clinton River Watershed Council

Incorporate Green Infrastructure in Residential Areas:

  • Plant Native Species: Plant native species around your house to help absorb and filter water. 
  • Rain Garden: Install a rain garden in your yard. 
  • Rain Barrel: Purchase a rain barrel to collect and use rainwater, reducing excess water on residential properties. 
  • Permeable Paving: Use permeable paving to help improve drainage and reduce flooding as well as prevent stormwater from getting polluted. Permeable paving is an innovative solution to managing and filtering stormwater. 


Incorporate Green Infrastructure in Commercial / Industrial Areas:

  • Creating Bioretention Areas: Bioretention areas treat on-site stormwater discharge from impervious surfaces such as roads, driveways, sidewalks, parking lots and compacted lawns. Bioretention practices mimic volume reduction and pollutant removal mechanisms that work in natural systems.
  • Permeable Paving: Permeable pavement helps to improve drainage and reduce flooding as well as prevent stormwater from getting polluted. 
  • Pocket Parks: Pocket parks add green space back to developed areas and enhance neighborhoods. Swapping concrete for permeable paving and native landscaping helps prevent polluted rain from reaching the storm drains as well as reducing the risk of flooding.


Low Impact Development: 

Low Impact Development includes various practices that mimic or preserve natural drainage processes to manage stormwater. These practices typically retain rainwater and encourage it to soak into the ground rather than allowing it to run off into ditches and storm drains where it could contribute to flooding and pollution issues. 

Different Low Impact Development Techniques:

  • Protecting open spaces and natural areas
  • Installing bioretention areas
  • Reducing amount of pavement
  • Installing a rain garden or other features that capture rainwater



Information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.