Sewage and Stormwater

Cleaner water, safer communities

Increasing development and antiquated, over-taxed wastewater treatment systems mean that when it rains, untreated sewage and polluted stormwater pour directly into rivers from sewage treatment plants and dirty streets and parking lots.  This poses a health hazard for people, as well as fish and wildlife. To reduce this pollution we work on the local, state and federal levels to promote a range of green infrastructure solutions -- from small scale practices such as rain gardens, green roofs and rain barrels, to larger scale efforts for comprehensive low-impact development. These approaches work in concert with nature’s systems to collect and filter runoff and reduce pollution in our rivers and streams.   

Policy Work Our Projects Clean Water Infrastructure Funding Local Stormwater Codes and Ordinances National Stormwater Rulemaking Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products Sewage Problems and Solutions Stormwater Runoff and Transportation Learn More Our Projects Advancing Green Infrastructure American Rivers and the Green Reserve: Funding Green Infrastructure Solutions Clean Water Challenges in a Changing Climate Polluted Stormwater Runoff

Projects and Outreach Our Projects Developing Green Infrastructure Solutions: Stormwater Management Workshop and Presentation Developing Messages for Change: Stormwater Communications Research and Tutorial Green Infrastructure in Darby Creek, PA Rain Garden and Rain Barrel Initiatives

Press Releases Report Taps into Innovative Financing to Secure Future for Sustainable Water Infrastructure (01/26/12) “Endangered River” victory on the Chicago River (06/08/11) New Report Calls for Federal Action to Improve Flood Protection, Other Policies in Face of Climate Change (05/26/11) More Blog Posts About the Sewage and Stormwater River Policy Update: 2011 Wrap-Up (02/03/12) Cities Should Go Green to Address Crumbling Infrastructure (01/25/12) Testifying on Green Infrastructure (12/22/11) More