Green Topeka, KS

Using Green Infrastructure to Reduce Stormwater Management Costs

Topeka, Kansas is one of an increasing number of municipalities that are using green infrastructure to enhance the livability of their community with open spaces that work for people and water quality throughout the watershed. One inch of rain over the city of Topeka translates to 940 million gallons of stormwater. As the city became concerned about runoff, it looked to surrounding communities to find solutions.

Green Topeka is a partnership between state agencies, local government, nonprofit organizations and other stakeholders that was created in November 2000 to address water quality and quantity concerns. Rather than using expensive concrete channels and underground pipes, the Soldier Creek Watershed, a Green Topeka pilot planning project in North Topeka, is exploring the use of vegetated swales, constructed wetlands and other practices to contain and treat stormwater.

From Mark Greene, “Topeka, Kansas: Getting Greener Gets the Job Done, ” Inside Agroforestry, the USDA National Agroforestry Center Newsletter, Summer 2001.