Climate Change, Green Infrastructure and Stormwater Management, Oh My!

Linchpin Legal is based in Oakland County, Michigan. Our friends and neighbors in Wayne County were just hit with massive water backups due to torrential rains (some reports say over 6” in 24 hours) plus a pumping station failure. Municipalities, businesses and residents throughout the county are facing massive losses. Our governor has declared Wayne County a disaster area, blaming the storm fallout on climate change and infrastructure failures.

An infrastructure bill is moving its way through Congress, and hopefully there is a final package that passes and addresses some of our national critical infrastructure needs, including bridge repairs and upgrades to water and sewer systems.

Our water system infrastructure needs to be addressed, particularly stormwater management. Stormwater management addresses the collection, movement, storage, infiltration, treatment & disposal of stormwater runoff so as to prevent increased flood damage, channel erosion, and habitat & water quality degradation. Stormwater management also promotes the health, safety and welfare of the general public. While our existing traditional infrastructure needs repair or replacement, attention should also be paid to sustainable stormwater management.

Sustainable stormwater management focuses on reducing runoff and supporting the natural water cycle. What are “green” stormwater management strategies?

The Living Roof at the Ford Rouge Plant was the largest green roof when it debuted in 2003, at just over 10 acres. The plants on the roof act as a natural insulator for the factory, filter storm water runoff and hosts nesting birds! The Rouge plant also includes porous pavement and bioswales, which all work to reduce the amount of runoff into the Rouge River. This project made economic sense as well - the insulating effect reduces heating and cooling costs and the roof is expected to last longer than conventional roofing, saving on costly repairs. It’s also a super cool tourist attraction.

Permeable pavement is made out of porous material that allows storm water to release back into the ground rather than flowing into storm drains, and the materials used can act as a filter for the water. Bioswales use vegetation and are often planted in natural drainage paths to either absorb water runoff or direct larger amounts of runoff to rain gardens, wetlands or storm sewers. Again, this reduces total runoff and the vegetation and soil filter the water entering the ground. An added benefit is a habitat for insects, birds, amphibians and other wildlife.

GM is Factory ZERO will be producing all electric vehicles starting later this year. The factory is located at GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck plant. GM has incorporated green stormwater management for the reasons listed above, and also to furnish space for biodiversity. The plant will include bioswales with vegetation native to the area, promoting filtration and providing space for local wildlife. There will also be 3 detention ponds and “grey” stormwater will be recycled to reduce clean potable water use.

Would green stormwater management have prevented the flooding experienced by much of Wayne County after massive amounts of rainfall and a system failure? Probably not without traditional infrastructure upgrades as well. But perhaps it would have reduced the amount of water damage, and it will certainly aid with runoff in less severe storm events.

As rainfall amounts rise, green stormwater infrastructure is a critical part of environmentally responsible real estate development.

To learn more about green stormwater practices, visit the EPA’s website: https://www.epa.gov/greeningepa/stormwater-management-practices-epa-facilities

To learn more about the Ford Rouge plant’s green practices, visit The Henry Ford Museum’s site: https://www.thehenryford.org/visit/ford-rouge-factory-tour/highlights/living-roof/

To learn more about GM’s Factory Zero Detroit-Hamtramck plant: https://www.gmsustainability.com/material-topics/designing-for-the-environment/sustainable-construction.html

Photo by Emily Hopper from Pexels