Typical elements of green infrastructure to reduce stormwater runoff include all of these except which?

Typical elements of green infrastructure to reduce stormwater runoff include all of these except which?

• A. Increasing impervious surfaces
• B. Permeable pavement
• C. Green roofs
• D. Rain gardens

Answer: (A)

Green infrastructure aims to reduce stormwater runoff by letting water infiltrate, be stored, or evaporate back to the atmosphere, rather than rushing off paved surfaces. Increasing impervious surfaces does the opposite: more pavement and buildings prevent infiltration, speeding up and increasing runoff and often carrying pollutants into waterways. Permeable pavement allows water to seep down through the surface, lowering runoff. Green roofs store and evapotranspire rainfall, again reducing how much water reaches the ground quickly. Rain gardens capture runoff, promote infiltration, and help filter pollutants. So, all of these options fit green infrastructure except increasing impervious surfaces, which actually worsens stormwater runoff.

Green infrastructure aims to reduce stormwater runoff by letting water infiltrate, be stored, or evaporate back to the atmosphere, rather than rushing off paved surfaces. Increasing impervious surfaces does the opposite: more pavement and buildings prevent infiltration, speeding up and increasing runoff and often carrying pollutants into waterways. Permeable pavement allows water to seep down through the surface, lowering runoff. Green roofs store and evapotranspire rainfall, again reducing how much water reaches the ground quickly. Rain gardens capture runoff, promote infiltration, and help filter pollutants. So, all of these options fit green infrastructure except increasing impervious surfaces, which actually worsens stormwater runoff.