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05/02/2025 3:49 pm

Rose Garden Bioretention Area

Green Stormwater Infrastructure Initiatives

Nature-based Solutions to Manage and Clean Stormwater Runoff

Updated: May 2, 2025

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What is Green Stormwater Infrastructure? Common Examples Raleigh Rainwater Rewards Get Involved with Monitoring GSI! City GSI Initiatives Promoting GSI in Private Development

What is Green Stormwater Infrastructure?

Green Stormwater Infrastructure, or GSI, preserves nature, soil, and waterways, and/or mimics nature by managing, treating, and reducing stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces, like roads, sidewalks, roofs, and driveways.

Benefits of Green Stormwater infrastructure (GSI)
Improve water and air qualityReduce Urban Heat Island (UHI) Impacts
Lower energy consumptionCreate wildlife habitat
Provide community aestheticsReduce infrastructure costs
Minimize flooding impactsIncrease property values

What Is Green Stormwater Infrastructure?

Common Examples

Click through the images to see common examples of GSI and select the name to learn more details about each type.

Glenwood Avenue Bioretention Area

 Rain Garden or Bioretention Area

Wooten Meadow Park Wetland

Constructed Wetland

Raleigh Union Station Green Roof

Green Roof

Suspended Pavement System

Suspended Pavement System

Permeable Pavement

Permeable Pavement

Walnut Creek Wetland Center Cistern

Cistern

Raleigh Rainwater Rewards

If you are a home and business owner, you can add these GSI features to your property beyond what's required for development. Learn about Raleigh Rainwater Rewards and how you can share project costs with the city.

Get Involved with Monitoring GSI!

GSI Visual Monitorning Phone Stand

We launched a GSI Monitoring Pilot Program to track how City of Raleigh GSI projects grow and transform over time. Help us monitor GSI by using one of the mounted phone stands to snap a photo, and then share it with us!

City GSI Initiatives

Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Policy

The City of Raleigh Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Policy became effective on November 28, 2023. The GSI Policy requires the evaluation of GSI on City-led projects and promotes its installation to reduce stormwater runoff, improve water quality, and provide ecological benefits.

Read Raleigh's GSI Policy!

Advancing the Use of Green Stormwater Infrastructure

In June 2021, Raleigh’s City Council approved the Stormwater Management Advisory Commission’s plan to Advance the Use of Green Stormwater Infrastructure.

Read Raleigh’s Advancing GSI Plan!

Peterson Street Stormwater Bioretention Area

Peterson Street Linear Bioretention Area

GSI Along Roadways

Several Raleigh road projects include bioretention areas. These areas manage the flow of stormwater and remove water pollution coming from a road before it reaches storm drains and streams.

Walnut Creek Subsurface Gravel Wetland

Walnut Creek Subsurface Gravel Wetland

GSI in Parks

Raleigh Stormwater has partnered with Raleigh Parks on GSI projects including:

Raleigh Stormwater has contributed supplemental funding for above and beyond GSI at the Civic Tower and the Gipson Play Plaza at Dorothea Dix Park. Raleigh Stormwater and Raleigh Parks have also partnered with NC State to install green stormwater infrastructure at Biltmore Hills Park. Learn more about this joint project!

Raleigh Fire Station 12

Fire Station 12 Bioretention Area

GSI for Facilities and Buildings

  • Civic Tower (coming soon!)
  • Fire Station 12 (bioretention area)
  • Raleigh Union Station (green roof)

Promoting GSI in Private Development

Are you a developer? GSI benefits land development! The City of Raleigh encourages developers to reduce water pollution by using natural and built landscape features to capture and soak up rainwater. Properties and roads with these features have a lower environmental impact on land and they are good for the environment. Learn more about GSI in private development.

Private Development Highlights

  • Gateway Plaza
  • The Market at Colonnades Center

Other Resources

 

Raleigh Complete Streets

Contact

 

Heather Dutra
Water Quality Supervisor
heather.dutra@raleighnc.gov
919-996-4012

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