Green Infrastructure

What Is It & Why Is It Important?

Green infrastructure is a term used for a wide variety of practices at different scales to manage and treat stormwater. Local green infrastructure systems are designed to establish or mimic natural processes in order to slow down and capture stormwater before it has a chance to reach sewers or areas prone to flooding downstream as runoff. Some examples of green infrastructure are:

• Constructed wetlands
• Porous pavement
• Rain barrels
• Rain gardens and bioswales

In the City of Albany, green infrastructure specifically helps to reduce flooding and reduce the frequency and intensity of combined sewer overflows.