Green Infrastructure
Stormwater Management
Urban Resilience
Equity & Community Engagement
LOCATION
Washington, DC
CLIENTS
Clean Rivers DC, LLC
ROLE
Prime Contractor, project management, compliance, and installation oversight
TIMELINE
2023
STATUS
Concluded
COLLABORATION
Clean Rivers DC: Aggregation, grant management, community outreach
Green Mechanics: Equity & Outreach Advisor, community engagement, data-driven design, and technical assistance
Designgreen LLC: Engineering design and outreach materials
30,000 gal
dry algae harvested per year
$12k+
stormwater fees saved
35+
sites engaged
$730k
in community revenue over 12 years
50+
residents trained
Project Overview
Green Mechanics Benefit LLC partnered with Clean Rivers DC, LLC (CRDCLLC) to expand access to voluntary green infrastructure adoption, outreach, and the Stormwater Retention Credit (SRC) Price Lock Program administered by the DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE). Together, the collaboration secured a DOEE Stormwater Retention Credit Startup Grant, facilitated multiple Lunch & Learn hybrid outreach sessions, and advanced SRC price lock agreements with DOEE and the Center for Watershed Protection. This joint effort is designed to increase green infrastructure participation in historically underserved communities in Ward 5, while creating long-term water quality improvements, fee savings, and community engagement opportunities.
DOEE Stormwater Retention Credit Startup Grant
For community outreach and voluntary SRC program participation
Problem Statement
Many communities in Washington, D.C.—particularly in historically underserved Ward 5—face persistent challenges with stormwater management, high stormwater fees, and limited access to green infrastructure (GI) programs. Traditional compliance-driven approaches often leave out smaller organizations, residents, and community institutions like schools and places of worship, preventing them from benefiting from fee savings, environmental improvements, and SRC market participation.
Solution
Stormwater Retention Credit (SRC) Transactions
Ownership Transfer: SRCs transferred to Chick-Fil-A Capitol Hill franchise owners to meet DC stormwater compliance.
DOEE SRC Price Lock Program (Agreement #257) secured for 18,199 gallons of stormwater retention at 2417 Evarts Street NE.
Community Engagement
Outreach list included 37 sites, spanning charter schools, places of worship, and commercial properties
Hybrid Lunch & Learns engaged business owners, residents, and facility managers in voluntary practices to unlock SRC market opportunities
Innovation
The Clean Rivers DC and Green Mechanics partnership introduced a community-centered, market-based approach to stormwater management by expanding access to the Stormwater Retention Credit (SRC) Price Lock Program. Through hybrid Lunch & Learn workshops, targeted outreach to 37 community sites, and technical assistance, the collaboration connected residents, schools, and small businesses to voluntary SRC adoption. This model combined grant funding, data-driven design, and equity-focused engagement, enabling local organizations to generate revenue, lower fees, and contribute to water quality improvements without large upfront infrastructure investments.
Impact
Environmental Outcomes
30,000 gallons of stormwater retained through SRC-certified projects
Voluntary adoption of bioretention systems and tree-based green infrastructure (GI) in Ward 5
Improved water quality for the Anacostia River and Chesapeake Bay
Community Outcomes
$12,000+ in projected stormwater fee savings for residents and institutions over 12 years
37 community sites engaged, including 19 charter schools, 5 places of worship, and 13 commercial/private owners
50+ participants trained through Lunch & Learn workshops, advancing education and workforce development
Equity-focused outreach in historically underserved Ward 5 neighborhoods
Economic Outcomes
$730,000+ in community revenue generated through SRC commitments over the next 12 years
Grant funding supported local jobs, technical expertise, and educational programming
Holistic Significance
This project shows how SRC markets can turn stormwater management into a shared benefit, improving water quality in the Anacostia and Chesapeake Bay while lowering fees, generating revenue, and empowering historically underserved communities to participate in long-term climate resilience without large upfront costs.
Conclusion
The Clean Rivers DC collaboration with Green Mechanics demonstrates how equitable engagement, technical expertise, and innovative financing tools can make stormwater solutions accessible to communities traditionally left out of compliance-focused programs. By retaining over 30,000 gallons of stormwater, engaging 50+ participants across 37 sites, and securing $730,000 in projected community revenue, the initiative proves that voluntary SRC adoption can deliver triple-bottom-line benefits—cleaner rivers, stronger communities, and long-term financial value.
