Toronto Streets That Help With Rain
Key Vocabulary
water that comes from rain
The plants can catch rainwater.
a road in a town or city
The street has trees beside the road.
a living thing such as a flower, grass or tree
Each plant can grow in the wet soil.
a time with strong or heavy weather
A big storm can bring a lot of water.
a pipe or system that carries dirty or rain water away
Less rain may go into the sewer.
Article
When rain falls on a normal city street, the water often goes into a sewer. Toronto is also making some streets where plants and soil help with rainwater. The city calls these Green Streets. [1]
A Green Street can have trees, plants or special ground. These parts catch some rainwater before it reaches a sewer. The soil can also help clean the water. [1]
One useful design is a bioswale. A bioswale is a low area with soil and plants. Water can move into it after a storm. [2][3]
The plants do more than look nice. They can slow water, and their roots grow in wet soil. Some Green Street projects also give trees more space to grow. [1][2]
Toronto says these designs can help when a storm brings a lot of water. They can also keep some dirty street water from going straight into local rivers and streams. [1]
The city has built Green Street projects in different places. It is also planning more bioswales on some streets in Scarborough, with construction expected in 2026. [2][3]
A street usually helps people and cars move. In this design, the street has another job too: it helps the city manage rain.
Discussion Questions
- What happens to rainwater on your street?
- What plants grow well in heavy rain where you live?
- What problems can a big storm cause in your city?
- Where could your community add more trees or plants?
- What other jobs can a city street do besides help people travel?
References
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