VIDEO: How Green Infrastructure Is Helping Combat Combined Sewer Overflows

Green infrastructure is the focus of research the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is currently conducting with the aim of more effectively addressing the issue of combined sewer overflows. There are approximately 800 cities and towns across the country that still rely on combined sewer systems. These systems increasingly put clean water at risk because of combined sewer overflows during heavy rain storms. EPA hydrologist, Bill Shuster, Ph.D., has been testing and evaluating environmentally friendly storm water management techniques called green infrastructure—including rain gardens, cisterns, and rain barrels—to reduce overflows. His research on green infrastructure for combined sewer overflows is gaining momentum around the country because cities and towns save money while protecting human and environmental health. Check out the below video from the EPA’s YouTube channel for more on Dr. Shuster’s green infrastructure research.