Green Infrastructure/Stormwater

Stormwater runoff is a major contributor to water quality degradation in streams, rivers, and other surface waters, particularly in urban areas.  Impervious surfaces such as parking lots, roofs, and streets cause increases in the quantity of stormwater and also increase pollutants such as oil and grease.  Green infrastructure is typically defined as any natural or engineered stormwater management system that mimics natural processes and mitigates the impact of stormwater runoff on receiving waters. Examples of green infrastructure include rain gardens, rain barrels, bioswales, bio-retention basins, street trees, permeable pavement, and sub-surface detention facilities.  Green infrastructure solutions are intended to control the quantity and quality of stormwater runoff, while providing ancillary benefits such as improved wildlife habitat, aesthetic appeal, and urban heat island mitigation. Green infrastructure techniques can be applied at various scales, from a small rain garden that treats roof runoff for a single residence, to a regional bio-retention suite that reduces combined sewer overflows in an entire neighborhood.

Coldwater works closely with our clients to evaluate the green infrastructure options available and determine the best solution for each individual project, and has a Certified GI Professional on staff, accredited through the National Green Infrastructure Certification Program (NGICP).  We offer services related to municipal combined and sanitary sewer overflow reduction projects as well as residential/commercial stormwater projects.  In addition, we have designed and installed a stormwater management system at our Galena office that includes rain barrels and a rain garden.  Please see the links below for more information on our municipal-based services and/or our residential/commercial-based services.