Green Stormwater Infrastructure News

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.

The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) is transforming a portion of Oakman Boulevard with Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) to manage 37 million gallons of stormwater annually, reduce street flooding and basement backups.

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.

Project to keep about 100 million gallons of stormwater annually out of the combined sewer system on the city’s westside, reducing basement backups. Two new detention basins and green paths inside Rouge Park. Lead service line replacement and downspout disconnection included as part of the project

Rain events are becoming more intense with higher volume. We must invest in climate resiliency and do so in a phased approach to reduce the cost impact on ratepayers. Together, regional and local entities along with private owners can take measures to become more climate resilient.

WXYZ's Chuck Stokes talks with new University of Detroit Mercy President Don Taylor, Retired UDM Professor Mike Whitty, current UDM Professor Gail Presbey, and Erma Leaphart of the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter to preview the Great Lakes Bioneers Conference and examine the future of green technology in Detroit.