 Threats to Water Resources: Polluted Stormwater Water Resource Congress October 2014

 Founded in 1973 to protect and restore America’s rivers  Headquartered in DC, American Rivers has offices across the country and more than 100,000 supporters, members, and volunteers nationwide

Why does Stormwater matter?

Credit: Conservation Trust for North Carolina

Runoff: a growing problem Development rates outpace population growth

Hydrological Impacts of Increased Runoff More Frequent F looding

Hydrological Impacts of Increased Runoff Credit: NRCS Increased Flood Peaks

Hydrological Impacts of Increased Runoff Lower Baseflow

Goal of Stormwater Management: Restore Natural Hydrology

Where is the Water Quality Management?

Traditional Infrastructure Modern Infrastructure

Environmental Economic Social Triple Bottom Line Analysis Recreational use Energy savings Improved air quality Fewer heat related fatalities Less time spent in traffic Green jobs Benefits of a Green Approach

photo courtesy of Howard Neukrug, City of Philadelphia Philadelphia in 2025

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Green roofs Permeable Pavers Bioretention

Peter Raabe American Rivers Facebook.com/AmericanRivers Twitter.com/AmericanRivers Thank you! Questions?

Environmental Economic Social Triple Bottom Line Analysis

Cost-Effective Infrastructure Investments  Avoided costs at site and project levels  Reduced infrastructure, land costs  Community scale cost- efficiencies lower cost/gallon removal  Quantifiable benefits (offset costs, add value)  Likely lower O&M costs (less capital intensive)

Energy Savings, Fiscal Efficiency  Street trees shade, cool buildings, reduce heat loss. Improve energy efficiency by 5- 10%  Green roof energy efficiency gains can exceed 10%  Reduced demand reduces transport & treatment costs Photo: Mahan Rykiel Associates Inc.

Photo: Adam Kurbin Capturing Runoff Reduces Cost of Localized & Regional Flooding  2011 $ 8.41 billion flood damages  25% due to urbanized flooding  Long term indirect costs  Green infrastructure effective on multiple levels

Reducing Public Health Threats

What Is It Worth? Quantifying the economic value of local benefits

National Green Values Calculator Compares green & conventional ‘grey’ infrastructure: hydro impact life cycle costs benefits Adaptable to local ordinance compliance greenvalues.cnt.org

Valuing Green Infrastructure: How does it work? This guide focuses only on benefits – It’s not a cost/benefit analysis  Two step process – 1. Quantification 2. Valuation  Focus of equations on 4 areas 1. Water 2. Energy 3. Air Quality 4. Climate Change

Introducing the Market : the Emergence of Stormwater Credits  Alternative way of complying with on-site performance standard : DC  Credits against stormwater fee : Philadelphia

 EPA estimates approximately $188.4 billion in capital investments needed for stormwater infrastructure  This doesn’t even include O&M, local needs or population growth  The size investment would generate:  $265.6 billion in economic activity Economic Impact Green Jobs