Green Infrastructure, Not Gray Infrastructure
- by: PennFuture
- recipient: Pennsylvania Municipal Managers
In Pennsylvania, stormwater runoff from cities and towns pollute more than 4,000 miles of river. As rain or snowmelt runs along roofs and through the streets it collects chemicals, trash, and other pollutants, delivering a toxic brew into our rivers and streams.
Polluted runoff degrades water quality and wildlife habitats, destroys private property, and increases water treatment costs necessary to ensure clean and safe drinking water.
Today, most stormwater solutions involve gray infrastructure - expanding existing sewers and adding wastewater storage units - but gray infrastructure is expensive and can take decades to implement.
Fortunately, municipalities have the power and the responsibility to reduce pollution from stormwater runoff with green infrastructure as well.
Green infrastructure uses soil and plants to absorb and filter runoff. Incorporating more natural and green spaces, cities and towns become more flood-resistant, biodiverse, and make available cleaner water and air to communities populating them.
Pennsylvania municipal leaders need to know that you support green infrastructure investment in cities and towns across Pennsylvania. It’s cost-effective, good for the environment, and great for public health.
Tell your municipal leaders to support more investment in green infrastructure, not gray infrastructure!
Dear [Municipal Manager],
I am concerned about the environmental and public health impacts of stormwater management practices in [your city]. I urge you to support greater investment in green infrastructure, rather than gray infrastructure, to meet water quality and runoff mitigation standards.
Green infrastructure uses soil and plants to absorb and filter runoff. Incorporating more natural and green spaces, cities and towns become more flood-resistant, biodiverse, and make available cleaner water and air to communities populating them. Unfortunately, most stormwater solutions involve gray infrastructure: expanding existing sewers, increasing wastewater treatment capacity, and adding wastewater storage units. Gray infrastructure is expensive and can take decades to implement.
Please support increased investment in green infrastructure in Pennsylvania. It's cost-effective, good for the environment, and great for public health.
Thank you,
[Your Name]
