Green Streets

Wow, how about that rain?? I'm sure I'm not the only one who noticed the sewers overflowing, leaving nice, big puddles along many major thoroughfares. Recently Nashville's Tennessean discussed the idea of implementing Green Streets, and I wonder if that wouldn't be something to consider here.


For example, in Portland, Oregon planters transform a street's pedestrian zone into attractive and sustainable stormwater management systems.

In brief, "Green Streets" means using green infrastructure to manage wet weather flows and enhance water quality. This infrastructure is cost-effective, sustainable and environmentally friendly. The idea is to capture and reuse storm water to maintain and restore plant life. Measures could include rain gardens, porous pavement, green roofs, infiltration planters, trees and tree boxes, swales and curb extensions.

Sounds nice, huh? Green streets can also help reduce the amount of water that enters the waste-water treatment plant, so less water needs to be treated, saving ratepayer dollars. This in turn reduces the number of storm sewers and large retention basins needed.

Read the full article in the Tennessean, and learn more about Portland's Green Streets.