Here are a few ways communities
invest in stormwater management at
the local level:

•	Utility fees: Similar to the fees
you may pay for water, sewer, and
garbage removal, you may see a
stormwater utility fee on your tax
or water bill to collect essential
funds that are needed to manage
stormwater where you live.

•	Municipal bonds: Just as they
do for schools and other local
improvement projects, your local
government could levy a bond to

pay for stormwater projects that
benefit the whole community.
Public funds: Federal and state
governments have many funding
options for stormwater projects.
• Private property improvements:
When businesses and institutions
in your area invest in green roofs,
permeable paving in parking lots,
and other stormwater management
measures, everyone benefits.

Support these solutions and be
stormwater smart for a better
community.

BE STiRMWATER SMART

Invest in Ways to Improve Your Community

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id you know that your health—
and the economic health of
your whole community—is
directly tied to the quality of the
water in your local rivers, lakes, and
streams? That's why it's important to
reduce the pollution that can get into
stormwater—the water that flows on
hard surfaces after it rains or snows
and drains into local waterways.

There are a number of innovative
solutions to manage and filter
stormwater so that it doesn't carry dirt,
chemicals, and other pollutants to our
rivers, lakes, and streams. Supporting
community investment in stormwater
management will help keep our
waterways clean and you and your
family healthy.

YOU'RE WORTH THE
INVESTMENT

From green roofs that absorb
rainwater before it can flow off a
building to bioretention areas that
filter stormwater before it flows to the
sewer system, there are many ways
that communities can beautify the
landscape, remove pollutants from
stormwater, and protect your health at
the same time. Replacing hard paving
with permeable pavers and installing
pocket parks are other ways your
community can keep stormwater from
getting polluted. Adding this kind of
"green infrastructure" and promoting
green spaces can help protect our
local waterways and improve our
community.

BEFORE: PARKING LOT

AFTER: PERMEABLE PAVING

BEFORE: ALLEY WAY	AFTER: POCKET PARK

Here are just a few of the benefits of

investing in these innovative activities:

•	Increase the amount of rain that
soaks into the ground and reduce
the amount of polluted rain going
down storm drains.

•	Minimize flooding by improving
drainage on sidewalks, streets,
and even your backyard.

•	Improve the community by
creating attractive, green spaces
that encourage physical activity,
recreation, and natural habitat
creation.

•	Reduce heat, noise, and air
pollution in urban areas by
replacing pavement where possible
with plants.

• Promote economic growth and
tourism and create local jobs from
green infrastructure construction
projects and maintenance
activities.

HOW DO WE PAY
FOR STORMWATER
MANAGEMENT?

Like other public health and safety
services we value such as police and
fire departments, funding is often
necessary to create and maintain
green infrastructure such as rain
gardens, green roofs, and bioretention
areas. These projects help reduce
pollution from stormwater and add
value to the community.

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