{"id":4738,"date":"2021-03-02T15:38:41","date_gmt":"2021-03-02T15:38:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swefc.unm.edu\/iamf\/?page_id=4738"},"modified":"2026-03-04T23:11:53","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T23:11:53","slug":"introduction-blending-green-and-gray","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/swefc.unm.edu\/iamf\/introduction-blending-green-and-gray\/","title":{"rendered":"Introduction \/ Blending Green and Gray"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Blending Green and Gray<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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One major issue with\u00a0current\u00a0asset management\u00a0practices is\u00a0their\u00a0focus on\u00a0manmade\u00a0(gray) infrastructure to the exclusion of green infrastructure.\u00a0The maturation and strengthening of asset management programs for gray assets provide an opportunity\u00a0to\u00a0extend the principles and practices to green infrastructure.\u00a0For many communities, green infrastructure will be a complement to gray infrastructure rather than a replacement.\u00a0By blending\u00a0gray and green\u00a0infrastructure provides opportunities to save money, improve the environment, or increase\u00a0operational efficiency.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Different departments,\u00a0entities,\u00a0or\u00a0governmental agencies, within a community\u00a0may\u00a0manage, design, and\/or\u00a0operate\u00a0green and gray infrastructure. This\u00a0segmented\u00a0approach\u00a0can\u00a0create\u00a0barriers to\u00a0widespread\u00a0implementation of green infrastructure\u00a0and might\u00a0prevent\u00a0utility staff and the community\u00a0from seeing benefits\u00a0of\u00a0green or natural projects.\u00a0Communities and systems\u00a0should\u00a0consider the holistic picture of gray and green infrastructure to achieve the greatest financial, environmental, and social benefits from their water infrastructure.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are a wide variety of definitions for green infrastructure. To effectively implement the integrated asset management framework, here are the definitions that will be used for green and gray assets in this guide.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Photo: Sherbourne Common North, Nicola Betts, July 2011<\/a><\/p>\n

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Natural<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and engineered green assets.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Green assets range in scale from single tree site applications<\/span>, such as stormwater planters or rain gardens,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>to large-scale approaches using constructed wetlands or\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a forested watershed<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE” open_toggle_text_color=”#000000″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” body_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#000000″ toggle_font=”|700|||||||” theme_builder_area=”post_content” open=”off”]<\/p>\n

Any practice that uses or replicates the functions of natural systems to achieve\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>desired outcome and often provides multiple community benefits. Green infrastructure does not exclusively mean vegetation. For example, permeable surfaces are considered green infrastructure because they handle rainfall the same way natural landscapes do.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”GRAY INFRASTRUCTURE ” open_toggle_text_color=”#000000″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” body_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#000000″ toggle_font=”|700|||||||” theme_builder_area=”post_content” open=”off”]<\/p>\n

human-engineered water resource infrastructure made from concrete, plastic, metals, and stone. Gray infrastructure includes pipes, treatment plants, water meters, culverts, pumps, storage tanks, and many others that typically ha<\/span>ve<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>a single purpose.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The goal of a blended green and gray framework is to enable utilities to make better, more efficient, effective,\u00a0and environmentally friendly decisions. It\u00a0can\u00a0move individuals away from the belief that only concrete and steel solutions can work\u00a0to create\u00a0a more holistic view of the\u00a0available options.\u00a0It\u00a0can\u00a0provide\u00a0a more expansive view of the types of alternatives that can yield the desired results and the co-benefits that can be achieved.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

By considering both approaches together from the beginning, communities can incorporate green infrastructure early enough to potentially reduce the amount of gray infrastructure needed to meet water quality\u00a0objectives\u00a0cost-effectively and on schedule. The main intent is to enable the consideration of a full range of choices\u00a0so that\u00a0each community can make informed decisions.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Green Asset Resource Database<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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This green infrastructure database serves as an introduction for those looking to learn more about green and natural assets that are used in water, wastewater, and stormwater systems. It will give users a basic understanding of the design, construction, O&M, costs, and benefits associated with each of these assets. It also provides some relative comparisons between the different infrastructure types related to construction and maintenance. If there are any assets you think should be added, please contact Hayley Hajic.<\/a><\/p>\n

Other Resources\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n