Do you know what a bioswale is?
If not, you're not alone. A bioswale is a green infrastructure solution that can be used to manage stormwater runoff. They are essentially trenches filled with plants and soil that help filter pollutants from the water before it enters our waterways. Bioswales are becoming more and more popular, as municipalities and developers seek ways to reduce their environmental impact. In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of using bioswales for stormwater runoff management.
During and after a storm event, rain that falls onto roofs, parking lots, roads, and other impervious surfaces, flows into a storm drain/piping system. Most municipalities will not allow any more stormwater off the site after construction, than was leaving the site prior to the new development. That's where stormwater management systems come into play. Typically, the storm drainage system will direct water into an on-site detention pond to manage the stormwater runoff amount leaving the site, and filter out some of the pollutants that are a hazard to the environment. When there hasn't been enough available land on a project for a pond, an underground detention system could be employed. However, underground systems can be very expensive. Both types of systems are costly to maintain, and above ground ponds can be unsightly and take up valuable space.
Then, there's bioswales; These eco-friendly stormwater management systems have several benefits over their typical counterparts.
1. They are a better way to manage stormwater, as pollutants are filtered out naturally through the soil.
2. Flexibility - Due to their linear orientation, they can fit easily into parking lot areas and along roads.
3. When designed and installed properly, they have reduced maintenance costs.
4. They are Aesthetically pleasing. Using native plants and vegetation, they are a dramatic improvement over the typical stormwater detention pond.
While not all topography will allow for a bioswale system, they should be considered whenever possible. They are an excellent way to manage stormwater in an eco-friendly manner. Have you considered using a bioswale on your next project?
If you have any questions about bioswales or other stormwater management solutions, please contact us. We would be happy to discuss the best options for your project. Thank you for reading!
Then, there's bioswales; These eco-friendly stormwater management systems have several benefits over their typical counterparts.
1. They are a better way to manage stormwater, as pollutants are filtered out naturally through the soil.
2. Flexibility - Due to their linear orientation, they can fit easily into parking lot areas and along roads.
3. When designed and installed properly, they have reduced maintenance costs.
4. They are Aesthetically pleasing. Using native plants and vegetation, they are a dramatic improvement over the typical stormwater detention pond.
While not all topography will allow for a bioswale system, they should be considered whenever possible. They are an excellent way to manage stormwater in an eco-friendly manner. Have you considered using a bioswale on your next project?
If you have any questions about bioswales or other stormwater management solutions, please contact us. We would be happy to discuss the best options for your project. Thank you for reading!