green infrastructure
Green infrastructure is a cost-effective, nature-based approach to managing pollution flowing into our waterways. It includes built solutions like rain gardens, green roofs, permeable pavement, and even constructed wetlands — all of which catch water before it enters drains, removing pollution before it reaches our rivers, lakes, and streams. Investing in green infrastructure can provide additional benefits, including wildlife habitat, cooling, reduced street flooding, and increased access to green space.
These solutions, which can range from a single trench to a large wetland, can make a big difference when it comes to reducing pollution. Our vision is for the broad distribution of green infrastructure throughout the watershed so that our natural resources stay clean and safe for everyone to enjoy. Green infrastructure helps us work toward a healthy, vibrant, and resilient Mystic River watershed for the benefit of all our community members. People deserve safe and open access to their local natural resources and an environment full of nature and free of pollution that supports their health.
Green Infrastructure in the Mystic River Watershed
MyRWA is working with state and federal agencies as well as cities and towns throughout the watershed to implement green infrastructure solutions to manage stormwater pollution.
Green infrastructure plays a role as an effective way of protecting our waterways from stormwater pollution. The Mystic River Watershed Association is committed to continuing to work with municipalities on projects like these to help make our watershed cleaner and safer for everyone.
The Solutions
Stormwater infiltration trenches
Infiltration trenches are an innovative and cost-effective approach to reducing a major stormwater pollutant in the watershed: phosphorus. Infiltration trenches are nature-based green infrastructure that reduce runoff by redirecting some of that stormwater to infiltrate the ground. Cost-effective and easy to install, these trenches effectively filter out phosphorous from rain and snowmelt.
Diagram representing a stormwater infiltration trench. Credit: Trillium Studios
tree trenches
Tree trenches combine a stormwater infiltration trench with a street tree. This nature-based solution decreases tree mortality and provides co-benefits like increasing tree canopy, cooling neighborhoods, providing habitat, improving water quality, improving air quality, and increasing tree survivability.
Diagram representing a surface tree trench. Credit: Horsley Witten
constructed wetlands
MyRWA is currently working with municipalities on stormwater wetland projects in Everett, Stoneham, Winchester and and Woburn. These open space improvements will help filter pollutants out of rain and snowmelt, provide flood storage during large rainstorms, enhance paths and trails, and expand wildlife habitat.
MyRWA staff walk across a boardwalk at the Maillet, Sommes, & Morgan Conservation Land constructed wetland. Credit: Isaiah Johnson
Stormwater Pollution
Stormwater is a fancy word for rain or snowmelt. Stormwater runoff occurs when rain flows over land – driveways, roofs, lawns, and streets – into the nearest storm drains and then flows directly into our water bodies via the network of stormwater pipes beneath the ground.
Stormwater pollution happens when the water picks up pollutants such as car oil, dog waste, excess fertilizer, herbicides, and pesticides on lawns, salt and de-icing materials, cigarette butts, and other trash. These pollutants go down the nearest catch basin and head directly to a water body without treatment.
There are many things that individuals can do to help prevent stormwater pollution, like raking our leaves, limiting the use of salt and fertilizer on our property, and picking up trash and pet waste. Cities and towns also have a role to play in the way they build and update the infrastructure that handles stormwater. Green infrastructure is an important tool in this process.
Progress
Read our recent blog posts to stay up-to-date on green infrastructure progress in the Mystic
