Green Infrastructure Toolkit

Cities and counties install green infrastructure on public lands to reduce stormwater runoff and protect water quality by capturing rain where it falls. However, sites on public land are limited, and green infrastructure is more effective when developed widely across a watershed. Local governments therefore provide incentives for green infrastructure installation on private property.

New development is essential for the regions’ growth and success, but expanding impermeable surfaces creates more runoff that can harm surrounding residents. By including green infrastructure in their plans, developers can make the largest and most impactful contribution to mitigating future risks.

Benefits of Green Infrastructure

• Inclusion of green infrastructure improves properties’ resilience to nuisance flooding and urban heat island effect.
• Significant environmental and community benefits – for every 150 square feet of rain garden included in development plans, the site creates $250 in annual benefits to surrounding communities.
• Property owners can receive stormwater credit as a reduction in the site’s stormwater service fees if you are located within the City of Columbus.

Who is Eligible for a Stormwater Credit?

All properties within the City of Columbus —other than those zoned single-family residential—are eligible to have a portion of the charges for stormwater service (up to 100%) and wet weather (the Clean River Fee) reduced upon meeting certain qualifications.

What green infrastructure can developers include?

The City of Columbus recognizes bioretention, permeable pavement, green roof, and rainwater harvesting as green infrastructure eligible for credit. Detailed instructions and the application can be found here.

Each year, municipalities must spend a portion of their budget on repairing, maintaining, or constructing conventional, gray infrastructure designed for stormwater. These single purpose projects are meant to limit the amount of flooding in the local area. While this is a necessary cost for most communities, green infrastructure is a more cost-effective approach that also helps maintain the local water quality.

Overall, transitioning to green infrastructure offers municipalities an opportunity to create more sustainable, resilient, and livable communities while also addressing environmental challenges and saving costs in the long run.

Communal Benefits of Green Infrastructure

• The Center for Neighborhood Technology states that green infrastructure provides a benefit to communities including, improved public health, safer transportation and increased economic development.
• When comparing traditional gray infrastructure to green infrastructure alternatives, communities saw a 36% decrease in the average cost of a project when choosing green infrastructure.

Communities can lessen the price of a project in the long-term savings of 30% to 60% when they integrate green infrastructure with planned infrastructure improvements, such as road reconstruction, utility restoration, or roof replacements.

Households could benefit significantly from improved wastewater practices. During summer, about 40 percent of a typical household’s water usage is for watering lawns and gardens, which amounts to approximately six to seven gallons of water flowing from an average hose every minute. This leads to high water bills, causing financial strain for individual households and their communities. While water usage is unavoidable, implementing green infrastructure – by using rain barrels or rain gardens – can significantly reduce costs both in the short and long term.

Cost Savings from Green Infrastructure Development

• Reduced flooding and flood water surface elevations because green infrastructure can increase property values by as much as 5%.
• When households adopt green infrastructure, it means less money from the community must go towards fixing or upgrading pipes and drains. Instead, those funds can be used for other projects.
• In Franklin County, an acre of rain garden creates up to $74,000 in communal benefits annually

Do-It Yourself (DIY) Green Infrastructure Projects

• Rain Barrels – Rainwater barrels are a low-cost method to collecting rainwater to use for irrigation and lawncare purposes. On average, households can save around 1300 gallons of water during the peak summer months, adding up to $35 a month, from using rain barrels.
• Rain Gardens – A rain garden costs $3 – $5 per square foot to install at your household. These are a cost-effective way to help increase the aesthetic of your property as well as its overall value. Lastly, Franklin County Soil and Water Conversation District offers a rebate of up to $50 for planting native plants in your garden. Refer to the Resources Tab for additional cost savings.