TWF Partners with City of Warsaw for Green Infrastructure Workshop

On Thursday morning, February 26, the City of Warsaw Stormwater Utility hosted the Kosciusko Green Infrastructure Workshop. Community members, contractors, developers, and more gathered to explore how green infrastructure can benefit our neighborhoods, reduce common stormwater management issues, and protect local water quality.

The workshop featured stormwater management experts and watershed professionals who shared guidance and insight on how communities can use green solutions to manage stormwater.

Investing in Green Infrastructure Pays Off

Caitlin Yoder, Watershed Coordinator at The Watershed Foundation, opened the workshop with a local green infrastructure success story.

​Yoder highlighted a Beyond Lawns: Prairie project at Zimmer Biomet in Warsaw, which delivered both environmental and economic benefits.

Originally, the site was a plot of traditional turf grass. Yoder presented an image of the space from March 2023 after 108,616 gallons of rain had fallen on the area in the previous seven days. The site was flooded—resembling a pond—because the water could not infiltrate the soil.

Zimmer Biomet then partnered with The Watershed Foundation (TWF), City of Warsaw, Stantec, and United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFW) to plant native prairie on the field.

In July of 2025, after the establishment of the prairie, the same section of property received 488,772 gallons of rain in the previous seven days. The site was dry. These powerful native prairie plants increased filtration, reduced flooding, and filtered nutrients in the process.

The project has also saved the company money. According to Yoder, Zimmer Biomet now reports about $77,000 in annual savings due to reduced mowing, watering, and fertilizer costs. Native plants typically require 70–80 percent less water once established, and do not require fertilizer.

“By investing in green infrastructure, organizations can save money while improving the environment,” said Yoder.

Understanding Stormwater and Green Infrastructure

Gilliane Talley, certified erosion, sediment, and stormwater inspector and Resource Planner at Christopher B. Burke Engineering, LLC., explained how stormwater management systems function and how green infrastructure can be critical for protecting water quality.

Green vs. Grey Infrastructure

Grey infrastructure, she said, includes traditional systems such as pipes and drains designed to quickly move stormwater away. She described how hard, impervious surfaces, like parking lots and concrete, prevent water from soaking into the ground. Instead, rainwater runs across these surfaces, washing pollutants directly into waterways.

She noted several pollutants of concern:

• Nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus
• Heavy metals (zinc, copper, lead, cadmium, chromium, and nickel)
• Sediment (sand, silt, clay)
• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): chemicals formed during the incomplete burning of coal, oil, gas, and garbage, or found in fossil fuels.

Talley added, “Sediment can smother fish eggs, cutting off oxygen supply.”

Green Infrastructure, on the other hand, mimics natural processes, aiming to slow, absorb, and treat water where it falls. This also means low-impact development.

“Green infrastructure works with the land rather than against it,” Talley said.

Common examples include:

• Rain gardens
• Vegetated swales and bioswales
• Permeable pavement
• Dry detention basins
• Wet retention ponds

These systems can improve water quality, reduce flooding, enhance biodiversity, and often lower long-term costs.

Early Coordination with MS4s

When it comes to designing and planning successful stormwater management systems, Talley emphasized that early communications with your local Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) can prevent costly redesigns.

Talley explained that stormwater management is typically regulated by local MS4s, which are granted authority by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). MS4s apply to any urbanized area with a population greater than 7,000.

Early collaboration allows engineers to design around natural features such as wetlands, woodlands, and steep slopes. It can also help avoid common issues such as improperly sized stormwater controls or insufficient treatment capacity.

“Most stormwater redesigns happen after everything else is already in place,” Talley said. “Planning early helps avoid those expensive corrections.”

Maintaining Stormwater Systems for Long-term Success

Drew Gamble, Environmental Management Specialist and Resource Planner at Christopher B. Burke Engineering, LLC., discussed the importance of maintaining stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) after construction is complete.

In stormwater management, BMPs refer to the devices, mechanisms, or techniques used to manage the quality and quantity of stormwater while mitigating negative effects.

“Water quality benefits will only last if the BMP is maintained over time,” Gamble said.

He encouraged BMP owners, whether a private owner, the city, or even a homeowners’ association, to maintain asset inventories with photos, site access information, and known problem areas.

Post-Construction Operations and Maintenance

Gamble also explained that every stormwater system should include an Operations and Maintenance Manual, which outlines inspection schedules, site plans, and maintenance procedures. He added that proper operations and maintenance practices can save money for owners.

Most BMP failures are caused by clogging, sedimentation, or neglected outlets. When BMPs fail, pollutant loads and flooding impacts increase. “Deferred maintenance increases total lifecycle costs by turning small fixes into big repairs,” Gamble urged.

“For example,” he said, “these structures don’t mesh well with woody vegetation,” and early removal prevents destruction and access issues.

Gamble noted that when it comes to the cost of maintenance and operations, proper development plans and pretreatment practices can help.

Signs of Stormwater System Failure

Gamble said routine inspection can also help identify problems earlier. He warned of these signs during inspection:

• Standing water in an area intended to drain
• Erosion and bare soil
• Sediment buildup near inlets
• Blocked or clogged outlets or overflow structures

“These signs often indicate pollutants are leaving the system and entering waterways,” he said

He added that routine inspection schedules and record keeping are critical for long-term success.

A Common Goal: Clean Water

Throughout the workshop, speakers emphasized that successful stormwater management requires collaboration among developers, engineers, municipalities, and property owners.

Talley reminded attendees that local stormwater programs are partners in the process.

“We are all on the same team for cleaner water,” she said.

The workshop highlighted how thoughtful planning, green infrastructure, and long-term maintenance can work together to protect water quality while creating healthier and more resilient communities.

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The event was made possible by the partnerships of The City of Warsaw, The City of Warsaw Stormwater Utility, The Watershed Foundation, and the Kosciusko Soil and Water Conservation District.