DC Utilizes Green Infrastructure to Manage Stormwater

The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water), in an effort to reduce combined sewer overflows (CSOs), is implementing green stormwater infrastructure projects to reduce runoff. These projects include rain barrels, grassed swales, cisterns infiltration trenches, permeable pavements, increased tree cover, and rooftop greening. Once completed, the plan is projected to reduce CSO’s by 96% and is expected to be capable of handling more than 90% of storms (under baseline climate conditions). DC Water changed course from intended gray infrastructure projects to green stormwater management to reduce costs, increase co-benefits, and increase the adaptive capacity of the project.