EPA Minimizes Pollution from Stormwater and Generates Green Jobs

Lately, it seems like every time it rains in New York, a flood warning is issued.  While we’ve seen the horror of severe flooding, there can be a lot of environmental damage every time there is a big storm.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), stormwater is one of the most widespread challenges to water quality in the nation.  After a big rainstorm, large volumes of polluted stormwater degrade our nation’s rivers, lakes and aquatic habitats and contribute to downstream flooding.

The EPA is taking action to end this kind of water pollution while simultaneously creating a slew of new jobs– especially for people interested in or knowledgeable of green infrastructure.  Green infrastructure aims to lessen pollution to local waterways by treating rain where it falls and keeping polluted stormwater from entering sewer systems.

“Through this agenda, we’ll help cities and towns across the nation clean up their waters and strengthen their communities by supporting and expanding green infrastructure,” said Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe, who announced the agenda at a Green Street, Green Jobs conference focused on fostering green infrastructure in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. “Green infrastructure changes improve the health of our waters while creating local jobs, saving communities money and making them healthier and more prosperous places to raise a family and start a business.”

The EPA will encourage and support expanded use of green infrastructure in these cities and highlight them as models for other municipalities around the country. The 10 cities are: Austin, Texas; Boston, Mass.; Cleveland, Ohio; Denver, Colo.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Kansas City, Mo.; Los Angeles, Calif.; Puyallup, Wash.; Syracuse, N.Y.; and Washington, DC and neighboring Anacostia Watershed communities.

Green roofs are an example of the kind of green infrastructure that workers in these cities will be needed to create.  A green roof may take a lot of work to set up, but once all of the elevated vegetation begins to flourish, the results are quick.  Rooftop plantlife absorbs the water instead of depositing it into other waterways.  It also creates huge savings on energy bills, as the green roof keeps it cooler during the summer and warmer during the winter.