Stormwater Steps Into the Big Leagues

Public funding and private deals are pushing stormwater from niche concern to core infrastructure priority

26 Jan 2026

Stormwater management in the US is attracting rising levels of public funding and private capital, signalling a shift from small, local projects to larger and more coordinated infrastructure systems.

Two recent developments highlight the change. In November 2025, New York state announced $61m in funding for eight stormwater resilience projects through the Environmental Facilities Corporation’s Green Resiliency Grant programme. Separately, MKB Company and Western Green agreed a strategic combination backed by Align Capital Partners, aiming to build a nationwide platform focused on stormwater and erosion control.

Together, the moves point to an industry moving beyond fragmented delivery towards scale. Stormwater, long treated as a secondary concern within infrastructure, is gaining prominence as climate pressures intensify and ageing drainage systems come under strain.

New York’s funding programme reflects growing urgency among state and local authorities. More frequent and severe storms are overwhelming existing infrastructure, increasing flood risks for cities and towns. Public investment is becoming essential to unlock projects that might otherwise be delayed and to give municipalities greater certainty over long-term planning.

For contractors, engineers and specialist suppliers, such programmes also create a steadier pipeline of work. That predictability is encouraging private investors to commit capital and back platforms capable of operating across regions and project types.

The combination of MKB and Western Green is positioned as a growth strategy rather than a simple consolidation. The group plans to expand its product range, geographic reach and service capabilities to meet demand from infrastructure owners and construction firms seeking integrated stormwater solutions.

The interaction between public and private capital is shaping the market. Government programmes are stimulating demand, while private investment is building the operational capacity needed to deliver larger and more complex projects. Industry participants expect this to support greater standardisation, stronger supply chains and higher expectations around performance and delivery.

Constraints remain. Labour shortages, volatile material costs and long-term maintenance responsibilities continue to challenge both municipalities and suppliers. As stormwater projects increase in size and visibility, scrutiny of durability and lifecycle value is also likely to intensify.

Even so, the direction of travel is clear. Stormwater management is becoming a central element of US infrastructure planning, with rising funding and strategic partnerships reshaping a sector once viewed as peripheral.