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Green Solutions for Managing Our Rain

MSD is going green to keep rain water out of the sewer system and reduce combined sewer overflows (CSOs).

To date, MSD is capturing about 120 million gallons of stormwater runoff annually during a typical year of rain (41 inches), based on design and watershed assumptions. By the end of 2019, we will be capturing more than 1 billion gallons of stormwater a year.

Why Capture Stormwater?

Ault ParkThe major culprit in a CSO is stormwater, not sewage.

CSOs occur when too much stormwater fills up sewers beyond what they can hold and the mixture overflows, by design, into a local stream or river.

Green Solutions

Green solutions help keep rainwater out of combined sewers and also clean the water by filtering it through soil, rocks and plants.

Below are some examples of MSD's green solutions:

  • Between 2009-2011, MSD partnered with about 20 local organizations to evaluate the effectiveness of smaller-scale stormwater controls. The project sites ranged from the Cincinnati Zoo and Cincinnati State to the Civic Garden Center and the Cincinnati Museum Center. View MSD's report.

  • In 2015, MSD installed two rain gardens in North Fairmount along Denham Street. View the fact sheet.

  • In 2018, MSD installed a rain garden in Northside along West Fork Road. Learn more...

  • MSD is currently focusing on larger-scale green infrastructure such as bioswales, stream restoration and stormwater detention basins.

    Much of this effort is focusing on the Lower Mill Creek watershed area. The nationally recognized Lick Run Project, which is part of this solution, will remove about 500 million gallons of stormwater from the combined sewer system by the end of 2019.

    MSD also completed a large-scale stream restoration project in 2014 at Ault Park, which reduces CSOs into the Little Miami River.

Going Green at Home and at Work

MSD supports and encourages citizens of Hamilton County to help keep stormwater out of the combined sewer system at home and at work or school. Learn more.

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Featured Green Projects

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MSD helped fund pervious pavers and rainwater harvesting systems at the Cincinnati Zoo.


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MSD built a bioswale at Rapid Run Park in West Price Hill as part of the Lick Run Project.


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MSD constructed a bioinfiltration basin (rain garden) on West Fork Road in Northside.


Want to Get Certified in Green?

MSD partners with the National Green Infrastructure Certification Program (NGICP) to help certify construction, inspection and maintenance workers for green projects. Send an email to Leslie Schehl, MSD's Green Infrastructure Program Manager, at leslie.schehl@cincinnati-oh.gov for info on upcoming training and exams.

A program of the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati
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