Save The Sound Through Green Infrastructure

Possible locations for stormwater management systemsThe Long Island Sound is one of the most densely populated regions in the U.S., which means that polution levels are a major environmental concern. It is imperative to invest in green infrastructure techniques that ease the pollution loads currently impacting the area.

One type of green infrastructure includes plant and soil systems such as bioswales and rain gardens. These systems naturally filter stormwater before it flows into local waterways, thereby reducing the amount of pollution flowing into the Sound. Another solution to stormwater runoff is the use of stormwater collection systems.

Stormwater can be collected, and either reused, cleaned, or evaporated. Since 2004, an estimated 1.6 billion gallons of sewage have been dumped into the Long Island Sound by Bridgeport in order to avoid sewage and stormwater mixture overflow within facilities.

Save the Sound along with NRDC and CT DEEP have conducted a study of the feasibility of stormwater control measures in Bridgeport and New Haven. This map (above) shows the various possible locations for stormwater management systems around the coast of the Long Island Sound.

The City of Bridgeport is also investigating the use of permeable pavement, which allows polluted stormwater to pass through roads and sidewalks before it is allowed to flow into the Sound.