What is Green Infrastructure? 

Green infrastructure (GI) are installations of engineered stormwater filtration and flow systems. When rainwater comes into contact with the surface, various contaminants are collected by the rainwater runoff and transported into the major water ways through storm drain systems, rivers, creeks and groundwater. Green Infrastructure is a cost-effective approach designed to control and slow down run off while implementing a filtering process through natural vegetation, soil infiltration or other means of filtration.  Green Infrastructure systems promote pervious surfaces such as soils and pervious pavement rather than impervious surfaces such as concrete and asphalt that would otherwise increase rainwater run off with no filtration. 

What is the City’s Plan for Green Infrastructure?
The City of Belmont’s Green Infrastructure Plan aims to shift future developments from installation of impervious surfaces and traditional storm drain infrastructure (gray) to green.  The plan will direct future infrastructure that currently collects stormwater runoff directly into storm drains and receiving waters to green infrastructure that slows and filters runoff by dispersing it to vegetated areas, rainwater harvesting and promotes infiltration and evapotranspiration. 

Click the link below to see the City's Green Infrastructure Plan.

Belmont GI Plan

(Click Image to open)

Does the City have Green Infrastructure?
The City of Belmont has incorporated Green Infrastructure into both private and public projects.  Major developments, such as schools and car dealerships, are required to collect and treat stormwater runoff onsite and to filter the runoff through the installation of Green Infrastructure elements. 

Additional Resources 

Learn about Green Infrastructure Benefits, Stages of Urban Development, sign up for the FlowstoBay newsletter and more at Flowstobay.org Green Infrastructure.

Fact Sheet-Green Infrastructure for Sustainable San Mateo County 

US EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency) -Rainwater harvesting, bioswales, rain gardens, permeable pavers and more!

Infrastructure Design Guide -For Designers, Developers, Consultants, etc.

City Projects
The City of Belmont has several current and planned projects to improve and develop green infrastructure citywide. Visit our Public Works Projects page to see more!