Low impact development is a term used to refer to landscape design practices designed to reduce stormwater runoff and preserve the quality of surface and groundwater sources. Currently, an estimated 70% of all surface and groundwater pollution is caused by stormwater runoff from roofs, roads, agricultural fields, and other man-made surfaces.

Though many low impact development projects are undertaken at the municipal level, homeowners can also put the principles of low impact development into use in their own backyards. In addition to improved local water quality, many low impact development projects help reduce the risk of flooding on streets or in basements, reduce the amount and frequency of standing water that serves as breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other pests, and reduce water bills, among other benefits.

Low impact development projects that can be easily undertaken by homeowners include:

• Installing a rain barrel, cistern, or other rainwater collection system. A single inch of rain falling on a roof produces 680 gallons of stormwater runoff per 1000 square feet. Rainwater collection systems collect and store this runoff for future use. Rainwater collection is especially popular in California, where rainy winters are followed by extremely dry summers, putting plants at risk and increasing the chances of wildfires. However, rainwater collection is also beneficial for Midwestern gardeners, as it helps reduce water bills and prevent plant loss during droughts and other periods of water restrictions. High volume rainwater collection systems are even used by some passive solar designers as thermal mass to reduce heating and cooling bills! Most rainwater collection systems produce greywater suitable for use in the garden, but some contain filters that produce potable water.
• Planting a rain garden. Rain gardens are gardens set into depressions and other low lying areas that are designed to collect and filter stormwater runoff from nearby roofs, roads, and other surfaces. Rain gardens are typically filled with native grasses and wildflowers, and create beautiful naturalistic plantings that attract butterflies, birds, and other wildlife, in addition to reducing standing water and filtering pollutants.
• Using permeable pavement for driveways, patios, and other paved surfaces. There are several different kinds of permeable pavements, including porous concrete, porous asphalt, plastic grid systems, and interlocking block pavers. All types of permeable pavement allow water to sink into the ground instead of running off into stormwater systems or pooling on pavements or in nearby depressions. They are an especially good choice for the Midwest because they can reduce the development of dangerous ice on pavement during the winter. Permeable pavements are attractive and durable for low-to-moderate traffic areas such as residential driveways and patios.

A few more complicated low impact development projects to consider include:

• green roofs
• greywater lagoons
• constructed wetlands or living machines

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