Chesapeake Bay: Bay Friendly Buildings and Grounds
The Impacts of Rainwater Pollution on the Bay 
Rainwater pollution is responsible for approximately 19 percent of the nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in the Bay. These pollutants pose the greatest risk to the health of the Bay and God's Creatures who make their home in it.
Low Impact Design Projects : What Congregations Can Do
Churches can help reduce the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and other pollutants that reach the Bay by reducing the amount of rainwater pollution coming from church buildings and grounds. Congregations can do this in a variety of ways including:
- Rain Gardens can remove up to ninety percent of nutrients and chemicals and up to eighty percent of sediment from rain water that would otherwise end up in the Bay.
- Rain Barrels- Water collected in rain barrels can be used to water the church lawn and gardens.
- Planting Trees - One large tree can eliminate 5,000 gallons of stormwater runoff each year, and well placed trees can help reduce energy costs by 15 to 35 percent. Click here for a $25.00 coupon for a native tree from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
- Congregations can install rain barrels and rain gardens with volunteers and little cost. Download Lifestyles of Stewardship to learn how.
Learn more about other Low Impact Designs like permeable pavement vegetated buffers and green roofs.
- Low Impact Development Center - Rain Garden Templates
- DC Greenworks Rain Barrel Rebate Program
- Urban Design Tools - Low Impact Development
- Trinity Episcopal Church in Swarthmore, PA takes "Green" to new heights with a Green Roof. Click here to read their story.