# Going Green Saves Lancaster in Controlling Stormwater

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/05/going-green-saves-lancaster-in-controlling-stormwater/
- Published: 2019-05-13T00:48:15-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

#### **EPA Report Documents Savings-**

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a report. It found green
infrastructure is a cost-effective solution to controlling stormwater. All while
providing numerous economic benefits. So the City of Lancaster with EPA sought to
quantify the economic benefits. Benefits associated with utilizing [green infrastructure.](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/05/epa-launches-new-strategy-to-promote-use-of-green-infrastructure-for-environmental-and-economic-benefits/)

### First of all and to be clear, green infrastructure is specially for controlling stormwater.

The report estimated that within the combined sewer system (CSS) area. That’s Lancaster’s
[green infrastructure plan](https://greenlivingguy.com/2012/06/framework-stormwater-epa-announces-assistance-managing-runoff/)
reducing gray infrastructure capital costs by $121.7 million. Also reducing wastewater
pumping and treatment costs by $661,000 per year. It provides about $2.8 million
in energy, air quality, and climate-related benefits annually.

These benefits exceed the costs of implementing green infrastructure. Costs estimated
to range from $51.6 million if green infrastructure projects. They integrated into
already planned improvements to $94.5 million. All if green infrastructure projects
implemented independently.

Unlike single-purpose gray stormwater infrastructure, which uses pipes to dispose
of rainwater, green infrastructure uses vegetation and soil. Thereby effectively
managing rainwater where it falls. By weaving natural processes into the built environment,
green infrastructure provides not only stormwater management, but also flood mitigation,
air quality management, and community revitalization.

#### City of Lancaster

In 2011, the City of Lancaster released its comprehensive green infrastructure plan.
Developed with the assistance of city, county, and state agencies. As a result, 
the plan identified opportunities for adding green infrastructure. All throughout
the city within 5-year and 25-year timeframes. They estimated water quality benefits
and articulated a series of policy, outreach, and technical recommendations.  All
for implementing green infrastructure in the city.

![storm water runoff](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/
06/Water_Runoff_National_Stormwater_Draining_Storm_Drain_800x533.jpg?resize=780%
2C520&quality=52&ssl=1)

[https://cleanwater.org/2016/02/24/supporting-local-solutions-stormwater-pollution](https://cleanwater.org/2016/02/24/supporting-local-solutions-stormwater-pollution)

Because of the plan and the city’s interest in understanding the added benefits 
of green infrastructure, EPA selected the City of Lancaster to serve as a case study
for calculating the additional environmental, social, and economic benefits.

Lancaster, like hundreds of other cities across the country, has both a combined
sewer system (CSS) and a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4).

While the CSS collects both sewage and stormwater. Yes and conveys flow to a wastewater
treatment plant. Then the MS4 collects only stormwater runoff and discharges flow
directly to receiving streams.

Finally, the report summarized installing green infrastructure in the CSS area. 
So it could reduce gray infrastructure capital investments. As well as associated
wastewater pumping and treatment costs. Plus how installing green infrastructure
in both the CSS and MS4 areas produce a range of environmental benefits. All across
the city.

In conclusion, a copy of the report can be accessed at this link. (LANCASTER, Pa.–
March 4, 2014)
[http://owpubauthor.epa.gov/infrastructure/greeninfrastructure/gi_csnortheast.cfm](https://web.archive.org/web/20150415080942/http://owpubauthor.epa.gov/infrastructure/greeninfrastructure/gi_csnortheast.cfm)

![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641?
s=300&d=monsterid&r=g)

 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

 [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [  ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)