Low Impact Development (LID)

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Today "Low Impact Development" (LID) methods can be used to capture and treat stormwater in a way that allows it to soak slowly into the ground, thus mimicking the natural water cycle and helping to protect water quality. The key is finding ways that allow water to percolate into the ground as close as possible to where it falls, thereby reducing runoff and its associated pollution. LID methods help can reduce the high costs installing and maintaining storm drain systems and of treating pollutants once they've gotten into rivers and ponds. Geosyntec Consultants calculated that if we capture and treat stormwater (using rain gardens and other green landscaping techniques) from even 11 percent of the parcels in the Nashoba Brook watershed, we can prevent as much as 1190 pounds/year of phosphorus and 140 cubic yards/year of suspended solids from getting into the brook.
A recent presentation by Geosyntec shows various ways you can reduce your stormwater "footprint" at home and in your communities using an LID landscape approach and presents its analysis of the potential benefits of LID in the Nashoba Brook watershed. The presentation is broken into parts for easier downloading:

• LID Landscaping 1 - Introduction
• LID Landscaping 2 - Rain Gardens
• LID Landscaping 3 - Bioretention Cells
• LID Landscaping 4 - Buffer Strips
• LID Landscaping 5 - Rain Barrels, Permeable Pavers, & Green Roofs
Nashoba LID Analysis Part 1
Nashoba LID Analysis Part 2

Read more about specific Low Impact Development initiatives:
Roofs
Parking Lots
Roads
Additional Resources