Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

HTTPS

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

    • Environmental Topics
    • Air
    • Bed Bugs
    • Chemicals and Toxics
    • Climate Change
    • Emergency Response
    • Environmental Information by Location
    • Environmental Justice
    • Greener Living
    • Health
    • Land, Waste, and Cleanup
    • Lead
    • Mold
    • Pesticides
    • Radon
    • Science Topics
    • Water Topics
    • A-Z Topic Index
    • Laws & Regulations
    • By Business Sector
    • By Topic
    • Compliance
    • Enforcement
    • Guidance
    • Laws and Executive Orders
    • Regulations
    • Report a Violation
    • Environmental Violations
    • Fraud, Waste or Abuse
    • About EPA
    • Our Mission and What We Do
    • EPA Administrator
    • Headquarters Offices
    • Regional Offices
    • Labs and Research Centers
    • Planning, Budget, and Results
    • Organization Chart
    • EPA History
    • Staff Directory
Related Topics:
  • Water Research
Contact Us

Stormwater Management and Green Infrastructure Research

Collage of green infrastructure practices: rain garden, retention planter, green roof, and cistern.

For many cities, stormwater management remains a significant challenge. Treatment of stormwater related pollutants may be required to minimize the impact of contaminants on the watershed. In some cases, treatment is not possible when surges in stormwater overwhelm systems that convey combined sewage and stormwater. This can result in direct discharge of untreated human, commercial, and industrial wastewater into surface waters.

EPA's research is helping communities improve water quality, manage water quantity, and reduce flood frequency in the face of changing precipitation, especially in underserved communities. Integrated stormwater management research focuses on reducing combined sewer overflows, managing stormwater quality and quantity, and using stormwater for augmenting water resources to help communities manage stormwater.

Research Topics

EPA's researchers are studying green and gray infrastructure to help support local, state, and national stormwater management objectives to reduce runoff through infiltration and retention. EPA supports the increased adoption of both constructed and natural green infrastructure in communities through the improvement of models and tools, field and laboratory research, and the evaluation of data from increasing application of green infrastructure practices.

  • Green and Gray Infrastructure Research
  • Enhanced Aquifer Recharge Research

Models and Tools

  • Green Infrastructure Modeling Toolkit
  • EPA Science Models and Research Tools (SMaRT) Search

Related Research and Resources

Sign Up for Invites & Updates

Webinar Invites
Receive emails for upcoming webinars

Science Matters Newsletter
Stay current with research highlights

Research

  • Salt Research
  • Water Reuse Research

Basics, Planning, and Partnerships

  • EPA's Green Infrastructure Information
  • More on Green Infrastructure: Soak Up the Rain

Sustainable Communities

  • Healthy Benefits of Green Infrastructure in Communities Fact Sheet
  • Community Solutions for Voluntary Long-Term Stormwater Planning
  • Lick Run: Green Infrastructure in Cincinnati and Beyond
  • Using Economic Incentives to Manage Stormwater Runoff in the Shepherd Creek Watershed, Part I
  • Urban Street Trees and Green Infrastructure
  • Community Solutions for Voluntary Long-Term Stormwater Planning

Featured Stories

  • Science Matters: Helping Pittsburgh and Other Cities Expand Green Infrastructure
  • Science Matters Newsletter: Green Infrastructure Research
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on February 9, 2023
United States Environmental Protection Agency

Discover.

  • Accessibility Statement
  • Budget & Performance
  • Contracting
  • EPA www Web Snapshot
  • Grants
  • No FEAR Act Data
  • Plain Writing
  • Privacy
  • Privacy and Security Notice

Connect.

  • Data.gov
  • Inspector General
  • Jobs
  • Newsroom
  • Open Government
  • Regulations.gov
  • Subscribe
  • USA.gov
  • White House

Ask.

  • Contact EPA
  • EPA Disclaimers
  • Hotlines
  • FOIA Requests
  • Frequent Questions

Follow.