Exploring Green Infrastructure

Rain gardens, also known as bioretention systems, are stormwater management facilities used to address the stormwater quality and quantity impacts of land development. The system consists of a soil bed planted with vegetation; it can be underdrained, or runoff can infiltrate into the subsoil. Pollutants are treated through the processes of settling and uptake and filtration by the vegetation. Pollutants are also treated within the soil bed through infiltration. The total suspended solids (TSS) removal rate is 80 – 90%; this rate will depend on the depth of the soil bed and the type of vegetation selected.

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Best Practices from NJDEP

A green roof, also known as a vegetated roof, is a roof that has been covered with a growing medium and vegetation. Green roofs are effective for reducing the amount of stormwater runoff leaving a site. A green roof consists of vegetation planted in growing media on top of a drainage layer that intercepts stormwater and reduces the total volume of runoff through evapotranspiration.

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Best Practices from NJDEP

A grass swale is a stable, parabolic or trapezoidal channel that is lined with turf; it is used to improve water quality and convey stormwater runoff. Grass swales do not rely on the permeability of the underlying soil for pollutant removal; instead, pollutants are removed by settling and filtration through the grass. The maximum total suspended solids (TSS) removal rate is 50%.

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Best Practices from NJDEP

A vegetative filter strip is a stable, evenly graded area that removes pollutants from stormwater runoff through filtration and biological uptake. In order to provide pollutant treatment, runoff must enter and move through the filter strip as sheet flow; therefore, vegetative filter strips must have shallow enough slopes to maintain sheet flow. When designed in accordance with this chapter, the total suspended solid (TSS) removal rate is 60 – 80%, depending on the type of vegetation.

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Best Practices from NJDEP

Cisterns are stormwater facilities that temporarily store stormwater runoff from rooftops, which is subsequently reused for non-potable uses, such as toilet flushing and vehicle washing. Cisterns can either be indoors or outdoors and above, at, or below grade. The reuse of the stormwater reduces the volume of stormwater runoff that makes it to downstream facilities. Take note that cisterns are not a viable stormwater management choice for sites with little or no demand for reuse.

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Best Practices from NJDEP

Dry wells are subsurface stormwater facilities that are used to collect and temporarily store runoff from clean rooftops; runoff is discharged through infiltration into the subsoil. Dry wells may be used to comply with the groundwater recharge design and performance standard of the Stormwater Management rules. Additionally, they may also be used to reduce the volume of clean, roof runoff.

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Best Practices from NJDEP

A pervious paving system is a stormwater management facility used to address the impacts of land development. The system consists of a durable, permeable surface course, which allows stormwater to move through it; this surface course is placed over a transition layer and a storage bed of open-graded, meaning devoid of fine particles, aggregate. There are two types: underdrained systems and systems designed to infiltrate into the subsoil. When designed in accordance with this chapter, the total suspended solid (TSS) removal rate is 80%.

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Best Practices from NJDEP

Floating wetlands absorb excess nutrients with hardy plants on soil media/marine foam that is deployed into a waterway. Once the plants are established and mature, this innovative approach mimics nature and filters out any pesticides, fertilizers, and other harmful elements without using chemicals.

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PREVIOUS FLOATING WETLANDS INSTALLATION

This project has features that mimic nature and capture, filter and absorb polluted stormwater runoff. The project helps alleviate flooding and cleanses the runoff before reaching local waterways.

Hopewell Borough Tour

Two large vegetative filters were installed to capture rainfall flowing off the parking lot at Rocky Brook Park.

Hightstown Tour

With funding support from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the Watershed is working in 16 central New Jersey towns to identify areas with large expanses of asphalt or concrete that can be reduced and/or retrofitted with strategies to capture polluted runoff, filter it with vegetation or other means, and allow it to percolate into the ground. Supplementing our towns’ existing infrastructure with a new kind of “green infrastructure” can help reduce pollution and flooding and improve the condition of our groundwater aquifers.

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The Watershed Institute has developed a model ordinance to guide local towns and cities on how to craft their own measures. Our ordinance goes beyond the state’s baseline standards with additional enhancements.

Model Ordinance Language

Watch Webinar Here

The Watershed Institute has been working for years with local governments to help with strategies and ideas for controlling polluted stormwater runoff. Along with testifying in state government, our staff works with local towns and cities in crafting ordinances to shape development and growth, as well as advising them about stormwater utilities.

The Watershed Institute has developed a model ordinance to help municipalities combat the perils of polluted stormwater runoff and comply with new requirements from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).

Watershed staff also have teamed up with concerned local citizens to help them become more engaged in their towns and advocate for stronger stormwater protections.

The Community Watershed Advocate Program (CWAP) at The Watershed Institute seeks to build a corps of volunteers to assist the Watershed’s advocacy team.

The inaugural group of 65 volunteers was trained to help educate the public and local governments about green infrastructure, which imitates natural ways of absorbing and controlling excess stormwater, by speaking up at local meetings as well as sharing information with their families and communities.

The next training that starts in March will explore protections for urban watersheds.

For information on joining the next training, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Eve Niedergang at [email protected].

We want to recognize green infrastructure features in New Jersey, including projects at local government, homes, businesses, churches, schools, and elsewhere. Green infrastructure projects regardless of size — from a rain barrel to a meadow —  help keep our water healthier and cleaner.

Please share your feature using the form below. 

Submit Your Green Infrastructure Project

Postponed

Join us for a hybrid certification program featuring two half-day virtual sessions on March 2 & 9 as well as a full-day in-person field session on March 16. This course is geared for professionals and will focus on sustainable design, maintenance, and native plant choices.

Register Here

List of WIGI-Certified Professionals

The Watershed Institute periodically offers a new, voluntary credential for professionals who design, install, and maintain sustainable landscapes in New Jersey and surrounding areas.

The Watershed Institute and the Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional’s active learning program engages participants to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaborative practice skills. This is especially important given the recent adoption of new policies in New Jersey that require developers to use green infrastructure as the primary means of managing stormwater.

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The Watershed Institute offers training in maintaining green infrastructure for municipal officials. Due to the new state stormwater ordinances requiring the use of green infrastructure, it is important that municipalities know how to maintain this investment so that it functions now and for the future.

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The Watershed Institute has developed a model ordinance to guide local towns and cities on how to craft their own measures. Our ordinance goes beyond the state’s baseline standards with additional enhancements.

Model Ordinance Language

Watch Webinar Here

Water is also incredibly fragile and vulnerable to many threats, from various sources of pollution to climate change. How much water do you use? Where does flooding occur locally? The Watershed works with partner organizations on River-Friendly options to be more green at home and as stewards in their communities. Explore more with the links below!

LEARN ABOUT WATER IQ HERE!

Learn about River-Friendly Here!