How Meijer is Leading in the Adoption of Green Stormwater Infrastructure

Polluted stormwater poses one of the greatest threats to water quality in Michigan. Because it’s not typically treated at wastewater treatment plants, stormwater runoff can carry high concentrations of pollutants directly to streams, rivers, and lakes.

Recognizing the negative impact of stormwater runoff on the Great Lakes aquatic ecosystems and recreation areas, one of Michigan’s leading retailers, Meijer, is implementing green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) on its building sites, including rain gardens and permeable pavement.

“Our waterways are essential to our everyday lives,” says Erik Petrovskis, Director of Environmental Compliance and Sustainability at Meijer. “That’s why Meijer is committed to Great Lakes stewardship and improving the water quality in local watersheds.”

Three Meijer locations illustrate the company’s ongoing commitment to effective stormwater management strategies in Michigan. 

Permeable Pavement and Bioswales Capture Runoff in Warren

Warren, Mich. is no stranger to stormwater management issues: increasingly intense storms bring heavy rainfall to the area, leading to a higher-than average risk of flooding for residents and businesses.

In 2018, the Meijer store in Warren was retrofitted with green infrastructure to reduce persistent flooding issues. Easy-to-maintain permeable pavers were installed behind the store to handle heavy delivery truck traffic and runoff from the roof. 

The property also was redesigned along its perimeter, adding bioswales with native plants to capture runoff. Excessive stormwater that does not penetrate the pavers is redirected to the bioswales.

Rain Gardens Add Beauty, Control Stormwater Flow

Ox Creek, which flows into the Paw Paw River before connecting to Lake Michigan in Benton Harbor, presently does not meet Michigan water quality standards due to sediment and unstableflashy flows, which cause erosion and destroy habitat for fish and other aquatic organisms. 

In September 2022, Meijer partnered with the Berrien County Drain Commission and Southwest Michigan Planning Commission to install four rain gardens across its Benton Harbor Meijer parking lot. Installation of the main garden began by replacing a parking lot with compost soil to help infiltrate stormwater and grow native plants. 

Approximately 20 different species of trees, shrubs, grasses and flowers were planted, including purple coneflower, butterfly weed and goldenrod, which supports pollinators. The effort helps to improve the water quality of Ox Creek and sustain pollinators that are critical to local agriculture. 

The largest on any Meijer property, the Benton Harbor rain garden installation has served as a model for additional installations, including a recent collaboration with the Plaster Creek Stewards to relocate plants that will help filter stormwater at the retailer’s 28th Street location in Grand Rapids. 

GSI Systems Support Kids Creek Restoration Efforts

Kids Creek, a critical spawning stream on Traverse City, Michigan’s west side that empties into Grand Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan, is also on the state’s Impaired Waters List, due mainly to stormwater issues. The creek experiences severe changes in flow during rain and snowmelt events and is prone to flooding portions of the adjacent urban neighborhood.

In an effort to help improve the creek’s water quality, the Meijer store in the community partnered with the Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay in November 2022 to install five underground infiltration structures and six bioretention cells in its parking lot. The large structures are designed to capture and filter almost 400,000 gallons of stormwater from a two-inch rain event. 

The green infrastructure retains stormwater temporarily, enabling it to seep into the ground after a heavy rainfall and preventing it from flowing directly into Kids Creek. 

Since installation, the project has been even more effective than originally anticipated, says Petrovskis, highlighting the importance of ongoing maintenance for sustained improvement, “You can’t just install a green infrastructure system and walk away.”

With Many Factors to Consider, Collaboration is Key

The decision to employ green stormwater infrastructure at any Meijer store location depends on numerous factors including cost, local requirements, public perception, and customer behavior. 

To work through these challenges, Meijer employs local land-use consultants to address potential risks and problems before stormwater infrastructure development begins. In addition, their partnerships with local governments and environmental advocacy groups strengthen community ties and enhance the sustainability of GSI efforts.

Meijer’s approach to GSI demonstrates their commitment to community engagement and environmental stewardship. “It’s the right thing to do from an environmental standpoint and ultimately benefits everyone as it helps to improve the overall water quality of the Great Lakes,” says Petrovskis.