Low Impact Development Stormwater Research Articles

Integrating Social Equity into Multiobjective Optimization of Urban Stormwater Low-Impact Development

Integrating Social Equity into Multiobjective Optimization of Urban Stormwater Low-Impact Development

A novel heterogeneous catalytic system (AC/ZVI/CaO2) promotes simultaneous removal of phosphate and sulfamethazine: Performance, mechanism and application feasibility verification

The eutrophication and pharmaceutical residue are the key issues to the treatment of rural non-point source pollution, concerning risks to aquatic ecosystems and human health. In this study, a novel activated carbon/zero-valent iron/calcium peroxide (AC/ZVI/CaO2) catalytic system was constructed to remove simultaneously typical rural non-point source pollutants: phosphate and sulfamethazine (SMZ). The optimal mass ratio of the system was determined as 20% AC, 48% ZVI and 32% CaO2. It was shown that the removal efficiency of phosphorus (P) and SMZ exceeded 65% and 40% in pH 2–11, respectively. It worked well in the presence of typical anions and humic acid. The mechanistic analyses for P removal indicated that AC/ZVI/CaO2 system can effectively load P by the formation of crystalline state Ca-P species and Fe-P/Ca-P amorphous state coprecipitates under neutral and acidic conditions, respectively. The presence of AC in AC/ZVI/CaO2 system could form iron-carbon micro-electrolysis process for accelerating Fenton reaction in acidic environment. And AC also can produce reactive oxygen species for the SMZ degradation by relying on persistent free radicals/graphitic carbon catalysis under environmental condition. In addition, we developed a low-impact development stormwater filter for application feasibility verification of the system. Feasibility analysis showed that the system could save up to ∼50% cost in contrast with the price of Phoslock (a commercial P load product) and presented advantages of non-toxicity, long-acting, stability and the potential to promote biodegradation by provision of aerobic environment.

Implications of Microbial Community to the Overall Performance of Tree-Box Filter Treating Parking Lot Runoff

Most of the studies about stormwater low-impact development technologies (LID) used generalized observations without fully understanding the mechanisms affecting the whole performance of the systems from the catchment to the facility itself. At present, these LID technologies have been treated as black box due to fluctuating flow and environmental conditions affecting its operation and treatment performance. As such, the implications of microbial community to the overall performance of the tree-box filter (TBF) were investigated in this study. Based on the results, summer season was found to be the most suitable season for microorganism growth as greater microorganism count was found in TBF during this season compared to other seasons. Least microorganism count was found in spring which might have been affected by the plant growth during this season since plant penology influences the seasonal dynamics of soil microorganisms. Litterfall during fall season might have affected the microorganism count during winter as, during this season, the compositional variety of soil organic matter changes affecting growth of soil microbial communities. Microbial analyses of soil samples collected in TBF revealed that the most dominant microorganism phylum is Proteobacteria in all the seasons in both inlet and outlet comprising 37% to 47% of the total microorganism count. Proteobacteria is of great importance to carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen cycling in soil. Proteobacteria was followed by Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Chloroflexi which comprises 6% to 20%, 9% to 20%, and 2% to 27%, respectively, of the total microorganism count for each season. Each microorganism phylum was found to have varying correlation to different soil chemical parameters implying the effects of these parameters to microorganism survival in LID technologies. Depending on the target biogeochemical cycle, maintaining a good environment for a specific microbial phylum may be decided. These findings were useful in optimizing the design and performance of tree box filters considering physical, chemical, and biological pollutant removal mechanisms.

Assessment of low impact development stormwater management alternatives in the city of Bojnord, Iran

ABSTRACT This study addresses the stormwater management challenges and opportunities in the recently growing city of Bojnord in the northeast of Iran assessing six Low Impact Development (LID) stormwater management alternatives using hydrological, social and economic criteria through a questionnaire survey and modeling effort. Hydrological and economic effects were assessed using the SWMM model and cost analysis, respectively. Different LID alternatives were evaluated using six different multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approaches including TOPSIS, VICOR, SAW, MEW, ELECTRE III, and NFM. Due to differences in the ranking results of the MCDM methods, three aggregation methods of Rank average, Borda, and Copeland were used to reach consistency in the ranking. Rain barrel installation has been assessed as the most preferred LID alternative and the pervious asphalt as the least preferred one. The evaluation and ranking of the alternatives with MCDM approaches facilitated the effective prioritization of sustainable LID alternatives according to various management objectives.

Seasonal performance of field bioretention systems in retaining phosphorus in a cold climate: Influence of prolonged road salt application.

Bioretention systems are popular low impact development stormwater management features designed to remove pollutants, including phosphorus (P), from urban stormwater runoff. While the performance of bioretention systems in retaining P has been well studied, seasonal variability of P retention in field-scale systems installed in cold climates, including the influence of high road de-icing salt (sodium chloride) inputs, remains unclear. Two large field-scale bioretention systems installed in London, Ontario, Canada were monitored over their initial operational period to evaluate the seasonal trends in the retention of different forms of P in bioretention systems and the impact of high salt loading. Over the 12-month monitoring period, a net retention of total P and dissolved organic P, and a net release of soluble reactive P and total dissolved P mass were observed. Reduced hydrological performance and increased effluent P concentrations resulted in high P release from the bioretention systems in early to mid-spring (March and April), with most release occurring during a few individual large precipitation events. Laboratory-scale column experiments were performed using the engineered soil media installed in the field-scale bioretention systems to isolate the effect of high salt loading on P release. Column experiments combined with field data indicate that prolonged high salt loads through winter and spring may have contributed to elevated spring P release, mostly in the form of soluble reactive P, from the field-scale bioretention systems. Findings from this study are needed to better understand the performance of bioretention systems with respect to P retention as required to improve urban stormwater management in cold climates. Results have implications for further investigations of the impact of road salt on P mobility in bioretention systems and more broadly in roadside soils and groundwater systems.

Estimating Regionalized Planning Costs of Green Infrastructure and Low-Impact Development Stormwater Management Practices: Updates to the US Environmental Protection Agency's National Stormwater Calculator.

Estimating regional costs of green infrastructure (GI) and low-impact development (LID) stormwater management controls is an important issue for many municipalities and water utilities in the United States. The National Stormwater Calculator (NSWC) is a site-scale, planning-level tool. A regional cost estimation methodology was recently added to the NSWC, enabling users to estimate region-specific capital and maintenance costs of commonly used GI controls. This paper discusses the approach used to estimate and regionalize costs in the NSWC.

An overview of methods of calculating storage volume for low impact development and other stormwater facilities

This review compares the methods of calculating storage volume in “Technical Guide for Sponge City Construction – Construction of Low Impact Development Stormwater System (Trial)” with other volumetric methods in BMPs, Water Quality Volume (WQv) capture and low impact development (LID) in the United States. The purposes of the comparison are to extend the methodologies relating to the evolution of stormwater management and to provide broad references to establish a reasonable design and evaluation standard for Sponge City Construction in China.

A new framework for the optimal management of urban runoff with low-impact development stormwater control measures considering service-performance reduction

Abstract This paper presents a comprehensive framework for the quantitative management of urban runoff. The framework assesses the response of urban catchments to design rainfall events and identifies low-impact development (LID) stormwater control measures (SCMs) for runoff control and flood mitigation. This research's method determines the optimal areas in which to deploy SCMs to control runoff in urban catchments. The optimization method relies on a three-objective simulation-optimization model that (1) minimizes the volume of runoff at the catchment outlet and at flooding nodes, (2) minimizes the implementation and maintenance costs of LID SCMs, and (3) minimizes the service-performance reduction of LID SCMs. The storm water management model (SWMM) is applied for runoff simulation and is coupled with the multi-objective antlion optimization algorithm (MOALOA). The simulation-optimization method is exemplified with an application to District 6 of Tehran's municipality (Iran). The performance of the simulation-optimization method is compared with that of the multi-objective non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGAII), and, after confirming the superior capacity of the MOALOA, the latter algorithm is applied to District 6 of Tehran municipality, Iran. The identified optimal LID SCMs are ranked with the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) method that reveals the preferences of the runoff managers concerning SCMs choices. The most desirable solution herein found shows the optimal LID SCMs provide a significant reduction in runoff volume at the catchment outlet and flooding nodes.

Quantifying Thermal Characteristics of Stormwater through Low Impact Development Systems

Urbanization causes alteration of the thermal regime (surface, air, and water) of the environment. Heated stormwater runoff flows into lakes, streams, bays, and estuaries, which potentially increases the base temperature of the surface water. The amount of heat transferred, and the degree of thermal pollution is of great importance to the ecological integrity of receiving waters. This research reports on a controlled laboratory scale test to assess low impact development (LID) stormwater control measure impacts on the thermal characteristics of stormwater runoff. We hypothesize that LID stormwater control measures (SCMs) such as pervious surfaces and rain gardens/bioretention can be used to mitigate the ground level thermal loads from stormwater runoff. Laboratory methods in this study captured and infiltrated simulated stormwater runoff from four infrared heated substrate microcosms (pervious concrete, impervious concrete, permeable concrete pavers, and turf grass), and routed the stormwater through rain garden microcosms. A data logging system with thermistors located on, within, and at exits of the microcosms, recorded resulting stormwater temperature flux. Researchers compared steady state temperatures of the laboratory to previously collected field data and achieved between 30% to 60% higher steady state surface temperatures with indoor than outdoor test sites. This research helps establish baseline data to study heat removal effectiveness of pervious materials when used alone or in combination as a treatment train with other stormwater control measures such as rain gardens/bioretention.

Runoff Capture Methods Developed for Stormwater Low-Impact Development Designs

AbstractEfforts under stormwater best management practices have led to low-impact development (LID) concepts for innovative stormwater designs. The key issue involved in the revolution of stormwate...

Multiobjective optimization of low impact development stormwater controls

Green infrastructure such as Low Impact Development (LID) controls are being employed to manage the urban stormwater and restore the predevelopment hydrological conditions besides improving the stormwater runoff water quality. Since runoff generation and infiltration processes are nonlinear, there is a need for identifying optimal combination of LID controls. A coupled optimization-simulation model was developed by linking the U.S. EPA Stormwater Management Model (SWMM) to the Borg Multiobjective Evolutionary Algorithm (Borg MOEA). The coupled model is capable of performing multiobjective optimization which uses SWMM simulations as a tool to evaluate potential solutions to the optimization problem. The optimization-simulation tool was used to evaluate low impact development (LID) stormwater controls. A SWMM model was developed, calibrated, and validated for a sewershed in Windsor, Ontario and LID stormwater controls were tested for three different return periods. LID implementation strategies were optimized using the optimization-simulation model for five different implementation scenarios for each of the three storm events with the objectives of minimizing peak flow in the stormsewers, reducing total runoff, and minimizing cost. For the sewershed in Windsor, Ontario, the peak run off and total volume of the runoff were found to reduce by 13% and 29%, respectively.

Creating Urban Water Resilience: Review of China’s Development Strategies “Sponge City” Concept and Practices

These years China's cities faced urban water security problem caused by natural disaster, man-made disaster, and water shortage. Back to the year 2002 until 2015 several cases were raised such as 2002 Guizhou Duyun slag water pollution, 2014 Lanzhou water benzene poisoning cases and the Han River Excessive Ammonia Pollution in Wuhan, Gansu Hui County blood cadmium poisoning cases. Meanwhile, a rainstorm hit Guangzhou in May 2010, Nanjing rainstorm 7.18, and recently Beijing 7.21 big rainstorm who killed about 79 people and Changsha 4.7 big flood in 2015. The "Sponge City" is the answer for China's water issues. Recorded In October 2013 Professor Lin Bingzhang recommend to build a "sponge city" as storm events and flood mitigation action, then in December, Secretary-General Xi Jinping at the central work conference on urbanisation talked about building a natural reservoir, natural infiltration, natural purification "sponge city." Followed the initiative, "Sponge City Construction Technology Guide - Low Impact Development Storm water system builders" had been released in 2014, project financing policy "Finance Building [2014] No. 838" has been established and until the year 2016, 30 cities has been chosen as sponge city urban construction pilot. The sponge city initiative aims to maximise water reservation and minimise the effects of drought and flooding by recycling and efficiently applying water supplies and reserves (AUSTRADE, 2016). This paper tries to elaborate the Sponge City theory and review of several practices in China's cities to create urban water resilience. This research will conduct theory development analysis, sponge city construction's practices analysis and its performance to actualize urban water resilience.

Stormwater Low-Impact Development: A Call to Arms for Hydraulic Engineers

Conventional stormwater management teaches that the primary concern is to remove the water from the site being developed (Ahiablame et al. 2012). Therefore, in order to reduce the risk of flooding, impervious surfaces such as parking lots and buildings are fitted with drainage structures made of impervious materials (pipes or concrete). After the water is collected, it is discharged to the nearest stream or lake. This method prevents local flooding, but it can cause problems downstream such as increased erosion and flooding. Since the conventional stormwater facility on developed property is concerned with removing water as quickly as possible, it changes the hydrology of the site being developed (HolmanDodds et al. 2003). The increase in impervious surfaces reduces infiltration that would have occurred at a site, increasing the peak runoff that the receiving waters must handle, sometimes by multiple times as much over the natural runoff (Hood et al. 2007). Also, the stormwater runoff will carry suspended solids and pollutants from the site into the receiving water (Davis et al. 2009). For this reason, in recent years there has been significant study on establishing Low-Impact Development (LID) (Ahiablame et al. 2012; Davis and McCuen 2005), the goal of which is to mimic the natural hydrology of a site postdevelopment (Davis 2005) or to reduce pollutants entering waterbodies by altering the land use (Barfield et al. 2008). This is accomplished by promoting infiltration and detention, as well as removing pollutants when possible (Garrett 2007). Engineers and scientists are now collaborating to produce more-sustainable LID techniques such that the developed site will not affect runoff (Bedan and Clausen 2009) and watersheds are being restored using LID techniques (Guo 2010; Chang 2010). The purpose of the current work is to (1) briefly review issues involved in LID, (2) illuminate hydraulic issues that may lead to future modeling advances, and (3) encourage hydraulic engineers to lead in this rapidly developing field. Several LID techniques along with hydraulic issues that need addressed will be discussed next in an effort to encourage hydraulic engineers to participate in this rapidly-expanding field.

Cadmium removal from urban stormwater runoff via bioretention technology and effluent risk assessment for discharge to surface water

Bioretention technology, a low-impact development stormwater management measure, was evaluated for its ability to remove heavy metals (specifically cadmium, Cd) from urban stormwater runoff. Fine sand, zeolite, sand and quartz sand were selected as composite bioretention media. The effects of these materials on the removal efficiency, chemical forms, and accumulation and migration characteristics of Cd were examined in laboratory scale bioretention columns. Heretofore, few studies have examined the removal of Cd by bioretention. A five-step sequential extraction method, a single-contamination index method, and an empirical migration equation were used in the experiments. The average Cd removal efficiency of quartz sand approached 99%, and removal by the other media all exceeded 90%. The media types markedly affected the forms of Cd found in the columns as well as its vertical migration rate. The Cd accumulated in the four media was mainly in residual form; moreover, accumulation of Cd occurred mainly in the surface layer of the bioretention column. The migration depth of Cd in the four media increased with elapsed time, in the following sequence: zeolite>quartz sand>fine sand>sand. In contrast, the migration rate decreased with elapsed time, and the migration rate of Cd was lowest in sand (0.015m per annum over the first ten years). The comprehensive risk index analysis indicated that the risk arising from Cd discharge to surface water was “intermediate”, and that the degree of risk was lowest in sand, then quartz sand, zeolite, and fine sand in sequence. These results indicate that the adsorption and accumulation of Cd in the four media are more significant than the migration of Cd. In addition, the results of Cd risk assessment for the effluent indicate that each of the four media can serve as long-term adsorption material in a bioretention facility for purifying stormwater runoff.

Discussion of “Unsaturated Flow Functions for Filter Media Used in Low-Impact Development—Stormwater Management Systems” by Iulia A. Barbu and Thomas P. Ballestero

Discussion of “Unsaturated Flow Functions for Filter Media Used in Low-Impact Development—Stormwater Management Systems” by Iulia A. Barbu and Thomas P. Ballestero

Closure to “Unsaturated Flow Functions for Filter Media Used in Low-Impact Development—Stormwater Management Systems” by Iulia A. Barbu and Thomas P. Ballestero

Closure to “Unsaturated Flow Functions for Filter Media Used in Low-Impact Development—Stormwater Management Systems” by Iulia A. Barbu and Thomas P. Ballestero

Hydrological simulation approaches for BMPs and LID practices in highly urbanized area and development of hydrological performance indicator system

Urbanization causes hydrological change and increases stormwater runoff volumes, leading to flooding, erosion, and the degradation of instream ecosystem health. Best management practices (BMPs), like detention ponds and infiltration trenches, have been widely used to control flood runoff events for the past decade. However, low impact development (LID) options have been proposed as an alternative approach to better mimic the natural flow regime by using decentralized designs to control stormwater runoff at the source, rather than at a centralized location in the watershed. For highly urbanized areas, LID stormwater management practices such as bioretention cells and porous pavements can be used to retrofit existing infrastructure and reduce runoff volumes and peak flows. This paper describes a modeling approach to incorporate these LID practices and the two BMPs of detention ponds and infiltration trenches in an existing hydrological model to estimate the impacts of BMPs and LID practices on the surface runoff. The modeling approach has been used in a parking lot located in Lenexa, Kansas, USA, to predict hydrological performance of BMPs and LID practices. A performance indicator system including the flow duration curve, peak flow frequency exceedance curve, and runoff coefficient have been developed in an attempt to represent impacts of BMPs and LID practices on the entire spectrum of the runoff regime. Results demonstrate that use of these BMPs and LID practices leads to significant stormwater control for small rainfall events and less control for flood events.

A Right-of-Way Stormwater Low Impact Development Practice

Road right-of-way can provide a good retrofit opportunity to implement stormwater low impact development (LID) technologies. In Canada and the northern United …

Unsaturated Flow Functions for Filter Media Used in Low-Impact Development—Stormwater Management Systems

AbstractMoisture retention relationships for coarse, high-infiltration soils are difficult to empirically determine and estimate. Present day software models for stormwater management (SWM) that are used as sizing and performance prediction tools for filtration Low Impact Development-Stormwater Management (LID-SWM) systems typically assume that these systems function under saturated flow conditions. This directly impacts prediction of system drainage and hydrographs, as well as the estimates of physically-based water quality improvement. Yet real-time monitoring of these systems demonstrated that saturation of the filter media is rarely achieved. This article presents a framework for obtaining the moisture retention curves (MRC) and relative hydraulic conductivity Kr(θ) function for engineered filter media and other hydraulic control soils used in four LID-SWM systems: pervious pavement, sand filter, subsurface gravel wetland, and bioretention. These functions needed in routing water through the filter me...

Valuing preferences over stormwater management outcomes including improved hydrologic function

Stormwater runoff causes environmental problems such as flooding, soil erosion, and water pollution. Conventional stormwater management has focused primarily on flood reduction, while a new generation of decentralized stormwater solutions yields ancillary benefits such as healthier aquatic habitat, improved surface water quality, and increased water table recharge. Previous research has estimated values for flood reduction from stormwater management, but no estimates exist for the willingness to pay (WTP) for some of the other environmental benefits of alternative approaches to stormwater control. This paper uses a choice experiment survey of households in Champaign‐Urbana, Illinois, to estimate the values of several attributes of stormwater management outcomes. We analyzed data from 131 surveyed households in randomly selected neighborhoods. We find that people value reduced basement flooding more than reductions in yard or street flooding, but WTP for basement flood reduction in the area only exists if individuals are currently experiencing significant flooding themselves. Citizens value both improved water quality and improved hydrologic function and aquatic habitat from runoff reduction. Thus, widespread investment in low impact development stormwater solutions could have very large total benefits, and stormwater managers should be wary of policies and infrastructure plans that reduce flooding at the expense of water quality and aquatic habitat.