St. Louis program prevents 100 million gallons of stormwater from reaching the Mississippi
St. Louis is deploying an innovative network of urban farms, gardens, and bioretention systems to reduce strain on its combined sewer and stormwater network—saving an estimated 100 million gallons of runoff annually from entering the Mississippi River.
According to Planetizen, the effort, led by the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD), is part of a $120 million investment through 2034 to modernize stormwater management under its long-term control plan. The initiative supports property-owner projects that capture and filter rainwater, such as backyard rain barrels, rain gardens, and larger-scale bioretention basins that slow and absorb runoff before it overwhelms sewer lines.
These distributed systems are designed to keep wastewater overflows from polluting rivers and backing up into streets and basements during heavy rain events. By promoting green infrastructure, MSD aims to complement traditional underground upgrades with natural filtration and groundwater-recharge methods that reduce combined sewer overflow (CSO) risk, Planetizen reported.
Beyond stormwater control, the program also yields community benefits—revitalizing vacant lots, improving air quality, and supporting urban agriculture in neighborhoods that lack access to fresh produce. Officials view the initiative as a model for integrating social, environmental, and engineering goals in wastewater infrastructure modernization.
As the city advances its multi-decade consent-decree commitments, St. Louis’s approach highlights how blending community-based green infrastructure with traditional gray systems can strengthen urban resilience against flooding and pollution.
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