Clean water is one of our communities’ most valuable resources—and one that depends on how we design and care for our shared spaces. From neighborhood parks to city streets, thoughtful stormwater management plays a vital role in protecting lakes, rivers, and groundwater. At paleBLUEdot, we help communities develop community sustainability and climate action plans that include a focus on implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) to naturally filter and reduce polluted runoff while supporting healthy ecosystems and resilient neighborhoods.
What Are Best Management Practices?
Best Management Practices are strategies that use nature-based and engineered systems to capture, clean, and reuse stormwater. These tools slow the flow of rainwater from hard surfaces like roads and parking lots, allowing it to filter through soil and vegetation before reaching our waterways. The result is cleaner water, reduced flooding, and replenished groundwater.
Nature-Based Tools for Cleaner Water
Bioretention and Rain Gardens
Rain gardens—also known as bioretention areas—use engineered soils and native plants to capture stormwater where it falls. As water filters through the garden’s soil layers, pollutants are naturally removed, and clean water reenters the water cycle. These systems work well along streets, near buildings, or in parks, providing both beauty and environmental function.
Infiltration Swales
Infiltration swales are shallow, planted channels that slow and clean stormwater as it moves across the landscape. Lined with native or flood-tolerant grasses, swales capture sediment and nutrients while promoting infiltration—making them ideal for trails, park edges, and residential areas.
Native Landscape Restoration
Restoring native plant communities is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect water quality. Deep-rooted native species stabilize soil, increase infiltration, and provide essential habitat for pollinators and birds. Replacing turf or pavement with native plantings helps filter runoff and recharge groundwater.
Engineered Solutions That Work with Nature
Permeable Pavements
Permeable pavements allow rain to pass through instead of running off. These surfaces—available as permeable asphalt, concrete, pavers, or geo-grid systems—help reduce flooding and filter water naturally. They are ideal for parking lots, sidewalks, and low-traffic streets. Regular maintenance, such as vacuuming and limiting winter sand use, keeps them performing well for years.
Underground Infiltration Systems
Where space is limited, underground infiltration systems can store and slowly release stormwater back into the ground. Installed beneath parking lots or sports fields, these systems provide hidden yet powerful flood control and can even supply water for irrigation.
Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting captures runoff from rooftops or paved areas for reuse in landscape irrigation, tree watering, or even fire suppression. Storing and reusing rainwater not only conserves municipal water but also reduces flooding and pollution. In colder climates, systems can be designed for seasonal operation, with components drained before winter to prevent freezing.
Building Healthier, More Resilient Communities
By combining natural and engineered stormwater solutions, communities can protect water resources, reduce flood risks, and create greener, more resilient public spaces. Implementing BMPs in parks, rights-of-way, and redevelopment projects benefits both people and nature—turning stormwater from a challenge into a valuable resource.
The paleBLUEdot team provides a wide range of expert consultant services supporting community resilience, including Climate Action Planning, Sustainability Consulting, and Renewable Energy Planning.