Green infrastructure uses water management processes that mimic the natural water cycle. These practices are implemented in a way that is effective and economical. These initiatives act to enhance community safety and quality of life.

Green Infrastructure focuses on restoration of natural processes and environments before the construction of anthropocentric facilities. GI practices seek to eliminate the source of water quality and quantity issues rather than mitigate the effects that they have. It means planting gardens to filter and uptake water; it means reducing runoff by retaining stormwater from your impervious roof; it means individual water consciousness, from reduced water use, to proper sewer connections, to private pipe maintenance.

Green Infrastructure is a form of water management that mimics natural environmental systems using engineered projects, incorporating natural processes into management efforts. Water filtration by sand, plants, or wetland habitats not only helps to slow water, but also helps clean it. Green Infrastructure provides these and many other benefits to people and wildlife.

Pervious surfaces, rather than impervious pavements and roofs, allow water to slowly trickle down into the ground instead of flow across the top; this means more filtration of water before it reaches the Bay, as nature would have it. Retention practices act to reduce the flow of water directly from large impervious surfaces; this means slower transfer of water into the system. Interception, uptake, and storage of falling water by plants (via leaves, roots, and growth respectively) also naturally reduces the flow of water.