Green Infrastructure for Urban Stormwater Management

Green infrastructure has emerged as a viable option for urban stormwater management. Combining reductions in runoff volume and pollutant concentrations, green infrastructure has been successfully introduced into separate and combined sewer areas to decrease stormwater pollution and combined sewer overflows. Because green infrastructure uses vegetation, soil, and other innovative materials, these water quality benefits are complemented by additional environmental benefits including improved air quality, reduced urban temperatures, energy savings, aesthetic improvements, and a potential strategy for reducing carbon footprints. The ability of green infrastructure to provide multiple environmental benefits allows municipalities to use limited economic resources more efficiently and provides a framework for sustainable infrastructure management.