Green Infrastructure / Rainscaping

Green infrastructure — also known as rainscaping — uses vegetation, soils and natural processes to manage stormwater and create healthier urban environments. The aim is to reduce the impact of built areas and to promote the natural movement of water within an ecosystem or watershed. Rainscaping techniques can be implemented at the neighborhood, city, or county level.

Examples of green infrastructure in the St. Louis region include the South Grand Great Streets project.

Green Infrastructure Toolbox

The green infrastructure toolbox is an online collection of resources and information on rainscaping and Low Impact Development (LID) approaches and techniques. East-West Gateway Council of Governments’ (EWG) Water Resources Committee along with staff from EWG, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Missouri Department of Conservation assembled the toolbox. Its contents are categorized and listed below.

Low Impact Development BMPs

Best Management Practices (BMPs) can be physical structures or the implementation of programs designed to control or reduce the quality and quantity of stormwater runoff on a site. Structural BMPS are physical features designed to delay, capture, store, filter or treat stormwater runoff at either the point of generation or the point of discharge. Nonstructural BMPs are preventative actions designed to reduce the amount of stormwater and pollution.

Resources

Aquatic Buffer

An aquatic buffer is an area along a shoreline, wetland or stream where development is restricted or prohibited. Buffers serve as natural boundaries between streams, lakes or wetlands and existing or future development.

Resources

Aquatic Buffers Overview and Model Ordinance

Erosion and Sediment Controls at Construction Sites

These are methods to help reduce erosion at construction sites which will help to reduce pollutants in stormwater runoff and to trap and hold eroded sediments on site.

Resources

Erosion Control for the Home Builder

Stormwater Treatment Practices

Stormwater treatment practices involve the preparation of site plans and construction of on-site facilities (such as retention and/or detention basins) or the implementation of nonstructural programs designed to maintain the quality and quantity of stormwater runoff on a site to pre-development levels. Structural BMPs are physical features designed and built to delay, capture, store, filter, or treat stormwater runoff, either at the point of generation or the point of discharge. Structural BMPs can be operated by the public sector or the private sector. Nonstructural BMPs are preventative actions designed to reduce the amount of stormwater and pollution and to prevent pollutants from entering runoff. Nonstructural BMPs can be focused on the actions of residents, government, business and industry.

Better Site Design

Better site design includes a variety of methods designed to reduce impervious cover, promote conservation of natural areas and encourage effective stormwater management and treatment at its sources. These techniques are focused on new residential and commercial development.

Resources

Control of Non-Stormwater (Illicit) Discharges

Control of non-stormwater discharges can include the development of an illicit discharge detection process and related elimination program. Trash and other types of materials dumped in inappropriate places like storm drains, streams or rivers can contaminate wells and surface waters. Water in a stormwater inlet often goes directly to streams or rivers without any kind of treatment. In addition, failing septic systems can have a negative impact on water quality.

Watershed Stewardship

Watershed stewardship involves the direct engagement of the public, local government staff and local officials about the effects of stormwater runoff and nonpoint pollution on water quality. It, also, involves educating the general public and elected officials as to the actions they can take to improve water quality in their watersheds. Listed below are several links to facilitate this process.

Resources

Additional Online Resources

Center for Watershed Protection
Long-Term Hydrologic Impact Assessment (L-THIA) Model to address water quality impacts of land use change | Purdue University
Low Impact Development Center
The Missouri Watershed Information Network 2007 Archive
Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO) | University of Connecticut
Polluted Runoff: Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution | EPA
Protecting Stream and River Corridors: Creating Effective Local Riparian Buffer Ordinances (2000) | University of Georgia
Stormwater BMP Toolbox | MSD
Stormwater Managers Resource Center-Stormwater Management Center | American Society of Civil Engineers
Watershed Academy | EPA
What is Green Infrastructure? | EPA

Questions?

Contact EWG staff by phone at (314) 421.4220 or (618) 274.2750 or by email at water@ewgateway.org.

Green Infrastructure Toolbox

Low Impact Development BMPs

Resources

Aquatic Buffer

Resources

Erosion and Sediment Controls at Construction Sites

Resources

Stormwater Treatment Practices

Better Site Design

Resources

Control of Non-Stormwater (Illicit) Discharges

Watershed Stewardship

Resources

Additional Online Resources

Questions?

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