Stormwater Solutions (whether green or gray) - Collaboration and Integration are Key

In 2014, the City of Richmond, VA (RVA) Department of Public Utilities (DPU) worked with stakeholders to create RVAH2O, a collaborative, cross-sector initiative designed to raise awareness about the importance of water and how to achieve cleaner water faster. The initiative is stakeholder-driven and led to the production of the RVA Clean Water Plan (which aided DPU in developing and acquiring the first integrated Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) permit in the Commonwealth of Virginia) which outlines goals, objectives and metrics for improving water quality. Implementation of the Plan has led to numerous collaborative projects between DPU and local environmental groups. This collaboration has also included working across city departments with the environmental groups. The recognition is that there are numerous opportunities to realize additional benefits beyond just water quality: there are opportunities to address urban heat island effects, to connect neighborhoods through greenways and park trails, and to provide basic education about a variety of environmental issues. This presentation and manuscript will describe a few examples of collaboration, specifically how the process worked and the outcome of the collaboration. The examples will show the diversity of potential projects that can be done working with internal and external stakeholders. The examples will also show the opportunity for grant funding when working with stakeholders. Examples will include working with Public Works and neighborhood associations to install green alleys; public libraries and environmental groups to 'green' the space around the buildings and provide education; multiple stream restorations to address nutrients and safety; developing a Green Infrastructure Master Plan with environmental groups to better assess opportunities; and also green measures at DPU facilities. As noted in the subject line, there is also the need to balance green and gray. The presentation and manuscript will discuss this balancing and where gray infrastructure has been used to address chronic flooding. Whether green or gray, the work includes RVAH2O stakeholders and a collaborative approach.