Green Stormwater Infrastructure News and Events

This page is a collection of news and events that promote Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) activities throughout Detroit.

The inclusion of any news or events below is not an endorsement by DWSD or the City of Detroit. 

Detroit breaks ground on $40 million Rouge Park stormwater project

Detroit breaks ground on $40 million Rouge Park stormwater project

The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department broke ground on the construction of a $40 million project to redirect rainwater and snowmelt from a far-westside neighborhood. At Rouge Park, two new detention basins will be implemented to filter stormwater and discharge it into the Rouge River. The project will divert millions of gallons of stormwater runoff and snowmelt annually, redirecting will allow Detroit to be a more climate-resilient city.
Organization
  • DWSD
Published date
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2022/07/28/detroit-br…

Detroit News: Rouge Park stormwater retention project work continues in Detroit

Detroit News: Rouge Park stormwater retention project work continues in Detroit

Work continues on the Rouge Park stormwater retention project in Detroit. The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department is constructing a $40 million project to redirect rainwater and snowmelt from a far-westside neighborhood. Two new detention basins will be implemented to filter stormwater and discharge it into the Rouge River. The project will divert millions of gallons of stormwater runoff and snowmelt annually, redirecting will allow Detroit to be a more climate-resilient city. The project, including water mains and lead service-line replacements, is expected to be completed in 2027.
Organization
  • DWSD
Published date
Rouge Park stormwater retention project work continues in Detroit

Planet Detroit: Sacred Heart Catholic Church congregation celebrates green stormwater project

Planet Detroit: Sacred Heart Catholic Church congregation celebrates green stormwater project

This rain garden was a collaborative effort between Sacred Heart Church, the City of Detroit, and The Nature Conservancy, which coordinated the project with grant funding from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation. According to Patrick Doran, TNC’s associate state director for Michigan, the project aimed to address two issues; flooding and the drainage charge. The pilot project at Sacred Heart Church is one of the largest faith-based, green stormwater infrastructure projects in the city of Detroit.
Published date
Sacred Heart Catholic Church congregation celebrates green stormwater project

Toxic hotspot builds nontoxic community engagement

Toxic hotspot builds nontoxic community engagement

Founded in 1986, Friends of the Rouge is dedicated to improving the Rouge watershed through hands-on restoration, stewardship and education. One of the larger projects the group is working on is Rain Gardens to the Rescue which provides rain gardens and other forms of green infrastructure that help with stormwater runoff.
Organization
  • Friends of the Rouge
Published date
https://greatlakesecho.org/2023/01/20/toxic-hotspot-builds-nontoxic-community-e…

Toxic hotspot builds nontoxic community engagement

Toxic hotspot builds nontoxic community engagement

Founded in 1986, Friends of the Rouge is dedicated to improving the Rouge watershed through hands-on restoration, stewardship and education. One of the larger projects the group is working on is Rain Gardens to the Rescue which provides rain gardens and other forms of green infrastructure that help with stormwater runoff.
Organization
  • Friends of the Rouge
Published date
https://greatlakesecho.org/2023/01/20/toxic-hotspot-builds-nontoxic-community-e…

Upgrading Detroit’s Aging Water and Sewer Systems Is a Work in Progress

Upgrading Detroit’s Aging Water and Sewer Systems Is a Work in Progress

Detroit Water and Sewerage Department has been busy cleaning out combined sewers that contain waste and stormwater to build more capacity to help mitigate basement floodings. DWSD is making strides in upgrading the city’s sewer systems to address flooding issues due to heavy rain events through its Capital Improvement Program, a five-year, $500,000 plan.
Published date
https://michiganchronicle.com/2023/10/28/upgrading-detroits-aging-water-and-sew…

Detroit neighborhood benefitting from new drainage system aimed at stopping flooding in the area

Detroit neighborhood benefitting from new drainage system aimed at stopping flooding in the area

The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department has brought some much-needed relief to a neighborhood in the area of Oakman Boulevard that has been prone to flooding. The relief has come in the form of the Oakman Boulevard Stormwater Project.
Published date
https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/detroit-neighborhood-benefitting-from-new-…

Detroit to install retention sites to prevent street flooding, basement backups

Detroit to install retention sites to prevent street flooding, basement backups

Detroit aims to curb street flooding and basement backups in its west side Brightmoor neighborhood next year through a $3.4 million grant and capital improvement funding package. DWSD will install 24 bioretention gardens, which will affect 100 homes, designed to receive and treat runoff from rainfall or snowmelt from nearby streets. Construction is expected to begin and finish in 2024, pending City Council approval.
Published date
https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2023/05/23/detroit-gree…