Green Infrastructure
In Pinellas County, we’re surrounded by water. Protecting the quality of that water is a top priority. Clean beaches and bays are important resources for wildlife, residents and tourists—and our economy.
Our countywide Strategic Plan calls upon us to engage in the best environmental practices. Green infrastructure helps us do that.
What is Green Infrastructure?
Green infrastructure is a term to describe practices that create habitat and allow rainwater to filter through vegetation and soil rather than running into storm drains.
In undeveloped areas, plants and the ground filter rainwater. In developed areas built with traditional methods, impervious cover like pavement and buildings prevent rainwater from soaking into the ground. Green infrastructure helps to filter rainwater more naturally. This minimizes the negative effects of development on the environment, and it reduces the long-term costs of treatment and maintenance.
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Green Infrastructure
- Modern methods of stabilizing shorelines and managing rainwater
- Focused on creating an urban landscape that allows water to penetrate into the ground and filter naturally (green roofs, bioswales, pervious pavement and living shorelines)
- Protects air and water quality, provides habitat for wildlife and creates better flood protection
Gray Infrastructure
- Older methods of stabilizing shorelines and managing rainwater
- Primarily focused on collecting rainwater and directing it away from developed areas (curbs, gutters, pipes and storm drains)
- Lacks habitat and dumps polluted water into lakes, bays and the Gulf of Mexico
How Impervious Cover Affects the Water Cycle
Economic, Environmental and Social Benefits
Improved Water Quality
Stormwater filters through plants and soil at or near its source, reducing pollutants.
Reduced Flooding and Erosion
Runoff is greatly reduced because more water is absorbed where it falls, which in turn reduces flash flooding and erosion issues.
Habitat restoration
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ plants provide food and a place to live for wildlife in an increasingly urban environment where non-native turf grass dominates the landscape.
Increased Groundwater Recharge
Rainwater filters through soil at its source, replenishing groundwater.
Cooler Temperatures
Less asphalt and concrete reduces the urban heat-island effect.
Less Climate Impact
Plants absorb carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas.
Enhanced Community Aesthetics
Landscapes with green infrastructure can result in higher property values and faster property sales.
Reduced Energy Use
Tree shading and green roofs lead to less air conditioning use. Planted areas require less lawn mowing. Less gray infrastructure reduces the effort we spend on making and transporting materials like concrete.
Decreased Air Pollution
Trees and plants clean the air. Reduced energy use leads to lower power plant emissions.
Educational Opportunities
Green infrastructure sites can include informational signs and be used as outdoor classrooms, which educate the public about important environmental issues.
Expanded Community Value
More green space can lead to greater recreational opportunities.
Benefitting the Community
Keeps Beaches Open
In Venice, Florida, a dune treatment system that includes bioswales is removing 91 to 100 percent of nitrogen, phosphorus, sediment and bacteria pollution from stormwater before it discharges into the Gulf of Mexico. Health warnings at Venice Beach have been drastically reduced since the installation in 2015.
Saves Money
Green infrastructure reduces the amount of expensive gray infrastructure required, such as curbs, gutters and pipes. It also reduces or eliminates the need for large stormwater ponds and minimizes the pipes required to move stormwater.
Prevents Mosquitos
Green infrastructure used to manage stormwater is designed to return to dry conditions within 24 to 72 hours, which prevents mosquito breeding.
Reduces Maintenance
Plants selected will be resistant to both drought and temporarily submerged conditions; will not require watering once established; and will not require the use of fertilizer or other chemicals. Weeding and other incidental maintenance can be done by volunteers, homeowners associations or county staff, depending on the situation and level of interest.
Types of Green Infrastructure
Bioswale
A bioswale is a ditch or swale that has been modified and planted with Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ vegetation to increase pollutant removal and water infiltration.
Vegetated Filter Strip
Vegetated areas are designed to capture and filter stormwater while also absorbing carbon dioxide.
Rain Garden/Bioretention Cell
Rain gardens—also referred to as bioretention cells—are shallow depressions planted with Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ plants. They are designed to receive and filter stormwater runoff.
Trees to Intercept Rainfall
Leaves in the tree canopy capture water, reducing runoff.
Tree Filter Box
Reservoirs containing gravel, soil and vegetation (such as trees) are designed to collect and filter stormwater.
Pervious Pavement
Pervious pavement can be constructed from pavers or other porous surfaces that allow stormwater to filter through the pavement and into the ground underneath.
Green Roofs
Building roofs that are planted with vegetation capture rainwater and reduce runoff from the roof. They also reduce energy use and absorb carbon dioxide.
Stormwater Harvesting
Cisterns can be used to capture and store rainwater for later outdoor use, such as to watering non-edible plants.
Living Shorelines
Natural materials such as rocks, plants and oysters are used to prevent bank and shoreline erosion. Living shorelines provide habitat and improve water quality.
Going Green
Learn more about how Pinellas County encourages the use of green building practices and green infrastructure for stormwater management.