Traditional stormwater management, such as gray infrastructure, aim to drain the landscape of rainfall as quickly as possible. Runoff flows into the street, along the curb, and into a gutter where a system of underground pipes whisks it away to the nearest waterbody – regardless if it’s a sprinkle or a major storm event.

Until recently, this was the only approach to stormwater management, which strictly relied on “gray” infrastructure to protect communities from flooding. However, this approach does not address all stormwater concerns, and with innovations in technology, other “green” methods have been developed to address these water quantity and quality issues.

There are many benefits to using green infrastructure in combination with traditional gray infrastructure. GI practices can save developers, cities, and homeowners money in the long-term. These practices also ensure less polluted drainage and stormwater runoff enter Iowa’s waterways, which eventually drain to the Gulf of Mexico. Other benefits include fewer localized flooding events and a decrease in stream bank erosion.