Bioretention key to natural, sustainable stormwater strategy in San Jose

ESD Watershed Protection staff manage the large inventory of GSI measures by tracking development projects from plan review through construction completion in coordination with the Department of Public Works, which ensures GSI measures are installed properly during construction.

Once projects with GSI measures are completed, the inspection team assumes responsibility for inspecting the devices to ensure compliance. Doing so is not a straight-forward task.

Once those logistical details are sorted out, the work of education begins. Because GSI is a relatively new phenomenon in San José, and usually installed as part of a site’s development permit, some property owners and managers don’t know what the devices are, what they do, or how to keep them functioning properly.

Aaron Kinney is a senior public information representative in the Environmental Services Department for the City of San José, California, US. For more information about the City of San José GSI program, visit www.sanjoseca.gov/GSI. For resources on GSI...