Monthly Archives: November 2011

By Christina Blackston The Natural Resource Defense Ccouncil’s new report, Rooftops to Rivers II, identifies six actions that cities should take to maximize green infrastructure investment and become what they are calling “Emerald Cities.” The steps are: Develop a long-term green … Continue reading →

Today, many builders, designers, project architects, and engineers are becoming more familiar with how to reuse water after it is done serving its initial purpose. So what exactly are those guidelines for designing an effective system for water reuse? In … Continue reading →

Two years ago, The Field Museum created Before the Faucet, After the Flush to tie-in their Water exhibition to Chicago’s unique water system. The video gives a great overview of our region’s water and sewer system, including some fascinating facts. WOWW Factors! Chicagoans … Continue reading →

By Christina Blackston On November 3, 2011, WaterSense developed a process for certifying irrigation controllers, the first outdoor product which can receive the WaterSense label. Weather-based irrigation controllers modify irrigation schedules to respond to site-specific conditions. As with other products, … Continue reading →

Just as Frank Lloyd Wright believed that the architecture of Chicago should reflect the flat, Midwestern prairie, a study found that native prairie plants are the most effective vegetative cover for rain gardens. Rain gardens allow runoff from impervious areas, … Continue reading →

By Christina Blackston Just as Mayor Daley’s Millennium Park became an attraction for Chicagoans and tourists alike, the proposed Calumet (previously Millennium) Reserve System hopes to allow the residents of Southeast Chicago and other visitors to experience water and wildlife … Continue reading →