GREEN STREETS
Runoff from streets and roads is the source of a large amount of “non-point” source pollution — the “urban slobber” that leads to most new water pollution in the United States today.
Among the pollutants are gas and oil, heavy metals from tires and brakes, and soap from washing cars or equipment.
As the projects below show, there are many ways this pollution can be kept out of waterways, and flash-flood-like storm flows can be reduced. Streets can be curbless or curbs can be cut. Runoff can flow to swales, basins, or simply overland.
Green Street projects, Albany and Emeryville
Clayton: Pine Hollow single-family homes
Dublin: Big swales and pond
El Cerrito Sidewalk Rain Gardens
Emeryville: Doyle-Hollis Park
Livermore: Canziani Park and Charlotte Ave.
Livermore: Charlotte Avenue area
