In this report, we examine Clean Water State Revolving Fund-financed investments in green stormwater infrastructure and natural infrastructure, which mimic or utilize natural processes to solve water quality and stormwater challenges. Communities around the country face environmental and health consequences due to failing water infrastructure. The Clean Water State Revolving Fund helps address these challenges by financing projects to improve water quality and public health. Most states and territories primarily invest in traditional gray infrastructure. In comparison to gray infrastructure, green stormwater infrastructure and natural infrastructure are often more cost-effective, climate resilient, and provide a plethora of economic and social benefits. We specifically evaluate investments in green stormwater infrastructure and natural infrastructure between 2016 and 2020 and give recommendations to state agencies and the EPA.

Established in 1987, Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) have played a key role in improving water quality in the United States by providing more than $145 billion to finance more than 42,800 projects nationwide. This report looks at the current status of how CWSRF dollars have been spent across the Great Lakes states, and proposes greener priorities that would spur transformation in environmental, economic, public health, and social outcomes.