Catching Raindrops, Curbing Pollution

Where does water go when it rains? Mostly into the ground, where it nurtures crops, trees and flower gardens, and recharges ground water.

But in urban areas, where most surfaces are paved over, water flows quickly off sidewalks and streets into sewer systems, where it’s handled as a waste, not an asset. When rains are heavy (as they have been in much of the Midwest this spring), sewer systems overflow into rivers and lakes, depositing debris, chemicals, dirt, and raw sewage with the rainwater. This polluted water stresses aquatic habitats and human health and increases water treatment costs for cash-strapped municipalities.

Current regulations under the federal Clean Water Act do not effectively curb water pollution caused by stormwater runoff. New solutions are needed to protect vital water sources and ensure economic stability, especially in the Great Lakes region.

American Rivers Inc., a national nonprofit that works to protect clean water sources by keeping rivers and other bodies of water safe and pollution-free, is taking up the challenge. With support from Joyce, American Rivers will organize a broad regional coalition and build a strong economic case for a new federal stormwater rule that would improve water quality in the Great Lakes.

Specifically, American Rivers will build support among stakeholders and nontraditional partners for green infrastructure to curb stormwater runoff. Green infrastructure relies on cost-effective and environmentally friendly solutions to mimic natural hydrology, such as creating rain gardens, green roofs, and switching to permeable pavement technologies. These approaches collect and filter runoff and reduce pollution in our rivers and lakes.

Using scientific data and regional case studies, American Rivers will develop an economic analysis that highlights the potential benefits of green infrastructure for Great Lakes communities. This report will be presented to the US Environmental Protection Agency to aid its efforts to draft new regulations for stormwater pollution.

“Stormwater runoff is one of the major contributors to poor water quality in the Great Lakes basin,” said Rebecca Wodder, president of American Rivers. “We have a unique opportunity to work with the EPA and help communities address this serious pollution source with green, cost-effective solutions, to improve water quality not only in the Great Lakes region, but nationally as well.”