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

Projects and Outreach 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 A 21st Century Flood Management Strategy for the Southeast (05/11/10) American Rivers and 13 Milwaukee Groups Receive $3.7 Million in Green Infrastructure Grants (05/10/10) New American Rivers office in Milwaukee will focus on protecting clean water (09/21/09) More Blog Posts House May Correct Bad Policies of the Past with Oil Spill Legislation (07/28/10) The STOPS Runoff Act: Treating Stormwater Where it Falls (07/23/10) Going Green for Clean Water (07/16/10) More