Posted by The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released a new report, “Reducing Stormwater Costs through Low Impact Development (LID) Strategies and Practices,” which contains 17 case studies from across North America that show the economic viability of LID practices. Using these practices in construction projects can lower costs while improving environmental results.
LID practices are innovative stormwater management practices to manage urban stormwater runoff at its source. The goal is to mimic the way water moved through an area before it was developed by using design techniques that infiltrate, evapotranspirate, and reuse runoff close to its source. Some common LID practices include rain gardens, grassed swales, cisterns, rain barrels, permeable pavements and green roofs. LID practices increasingly are used by communities across the country to help protect and restore water quality.
The report highlights examples that, in most cases, reduce project costs while improving environmental performance. Total capital savings ranged from 15 to 80 percent, with a few exceptions in which LID project costs were higher than conventional stormwater management costs. As LID practices become more common, it is likely that they will become cheaper to use.
For a copy of the report: http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/lid/costs07/
Click on Title link to view entire article. From a US EPA News Release issued on Jan. 8, 2008. Thanks to Anne Weinberg, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the submission.
Lake Stewardship 
The environment plays a big factor when it comes to stormwater management, so it is a must to take advantage of these. Since the studies show that LID practices have reduced project costs by 15 to 80 percent while improving environmental performance, it is a very good concept to be included to the overall stormwater management process. 🙂
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