Green rainwater infrastructure: sustainably managing our rainwater

Benefits

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  Improves water and air quality

  When rain falls on city surfaces like streets, sidewalks, and rooftops, it collects oil, litter, and other pollutants as it runs off city surfaces into our catch basins. This runoff ends up on our beaches and in our rivers and overwhelms our remaining combined sewer systems during heavy rainfall periods.

  In a natural environment rainwater is absorbed and filtered by soils and plants. Over half (55%) of Vancouver is made up of city surfaces that cannot collect, absorb, or clean our rainwater.

  Green infrastructure brings nature into the city, like trees and plants, to capture and clean our rain water before returning it to our atmosphere and our surrounding beaches and rivers.

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  Sustainably manages rainwater and reduces flooding

  Green infrastructure promotes sustainable urban rainwater management by slowing down and holding on to rainwater, allowing it to soak into the ground.

  This helps reduce the volume of water entering our sewer system and prevents flooding. 

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  Enhances resilience to climate change 

  Green infrastructure uses rainwater as a resource for our communities and wildlife. It is key to our city’s resiliency and will help keep Vancouver healthy and safe as instances of drought, high temperatures, and intense rainstorms become increasingly frequent with climate change.

  More greenspace increases the amount of rainwater that can be absorbed back into our atmosphere and helps cool our city during extreme heat events. 

  It is important for us to support the growth of sustainable urban rainwater management practices now to ensure the longevity and health of our city. 

  Learn more about our Climate Change Adaptation Strategy.

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  Helps reduce sewer infrastructure cost

  Green infrastructure reduces the volume of water entering our sewer system by returning water to the natural water cycle. 

  This increases the lifespan of our sewers and helps save on costly infrastructure maintenance.

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  Increases green space for our communities and wildlife 

  By promoting natural spaces, green rainwater infrastructure provides mental and physical health benefits for our communites and are inviting to wildlife and pollinators.