Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) is a method of water management that imitates the natural water cycle by using plants, soil, and other natural elements to absorb water runoff. This approach reduces flooding of stormwater runoff and helps prevent water pollution to local resources like streams, rivers, and lakes. Learn more about GSI in this presentation.

1. Green Stormwater
Infrastructure
Different Solutions to Create
Sustainable Development

2. Overview
What is Green
Stormwater
Infrastructure
(GSI)?
2
Types of Green
Stormwater
Infrastructure
Why Use Green
Stormwater
Infrastructure?

3. What is GSI?
Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) is the
solution to water pollution in urban settings.
These projects are designed to capture
stormwater before it enters traditional systems
and redirect it to green space.
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4. Types of Green Stormwater Infrastructure
Downspout
Disconnection &
Rainwater
Harvesting
Green Streets,
Alleys, & Parking
Rain Gardens &
Urban Tree
Canopy
Green Roofs Land
Conservation
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5. Downspout Disconnection
What is it?
Gutters and downspouts take
rainwater and redirect it from
paved surfaces to the lawn, a
garden, or rain barrels.
What it does
It reduces the volume of water
runoff and keeps pollutants out of
our waters.
Where can you find it?
You can find these downspouts
attached to any building.
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6. Examples
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7. Rainwater Harvesting
What is it?
It is an alternative water supply
approach. Rainwater is captured
and stored water for later use.
What it does
This method reduces runoff,
erosion, and contamination of
surface water.
Where can you find it?
You can find these barrels attached
to buildings and downspouts or
pipes. The systems can range in
size and complexity.
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8. Examples
8
https://www.ccwater.com/860/Rainwater-Harvesting-101

9. Green Streets, Alleys, & Parking
These are used to reduce
water to streets and
sidewalks and use
rainwater as a source for
vegetation.
You can find these
scattered across a
neighborhood or city.
What is it? What it does Where can you
find it?
These surfaces capture,
retain, treat, and infiltrate
runoff from impervious
surfaces.
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10. Examples
Planter Boxes
10
Permeable Pavements
http://www.madrono.org/san-francisco-landscape/water/stormwater/stormwater-infiltration-sidewalk-
planters.html

11. Rain Garden
What is it?
A depressed area in the landscape
with grasses and flower
perennials.
What it does
This patch of land collects
rainwater and soaks it into the
ground.
Where can you find it?
You can find these on private or
public property.
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12. Examples
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13. Urban Tree Canopy
What is it?
Urban streets lined with trees.
What it does
Trees are used to reduce and slow
down stormwater runoff.
Where can you find it?
You can find these in an urban
environment near homes and
businesses.
13
https://vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2012/11/112112-cnre-treecanopymapper.html

14. Example
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15. Green Roofs
What is it?
A roof of a building that is
partially or completely
covered with vegetation.
What it does
This system provides
erosion protection and
acts as a rainwater buffer.
Where can you
find it?
You can find them on
roofs of buildings.
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16. Example
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17. Land Conservation
What is it?
The protection of natural land/or
returning developed land to a
natural state.
What it does
This preserves natural resources
in undeveloped lands or restores
resources in developed land.
Where can you find it?
Preserved lands such as land
trusts or protected parks.
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18. Examples
Naugatuck State Forest – Naugatuck, CT
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Hammonasset State Park – Madison, CT

19. The Importance of GSI
There are a lot of benefits to green
stormwater infrastructure that effect us
environmentally, socially, and economically.
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20. Why use GSI?
The benefits of green stormwater infrastructure
Environment
• Creates biodiversity
• Better water quality
• Improved flow
management
• Generates natural
hydrology
Social
• Provides comfort and
increases natural
landscape
• Cools temperatures in
urban settings
• Encourages outdoor
activity
Economy
• Increases lifespan of
grey infrastructure
• Improves quality of
water systems
• Boosts property values
and marketability
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21. Green Stormwater Infrastructure maintains
sustainability:
• Improves quality of life environmentally, socially,
and economically.
GSI provides:
• Natural beauty in urban settings
• Better stormwater management practices
• Creation of ecological habitat
• Improved water quality and public health
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Summary

22. Want to learn more about GSI?
You can learn more
about GSI at
StormwaterONE
Look at our courses and webinars
• Free Webinar on “Green
Infrastructure Solutions for
Wet Weather”
• Take a course on the
“Introduction to Low Impact
Development”
22

23. Thank You
StormwaterONE
1-877-25-SWPPP (1-877-257-9777)
Info@StormwaterONE.com
www.stormwaterone.com