To understand how to reduce the volume or improve the quality of stormwater runoff based on green infrastructure, we must first define the types of green infrastructure technologies we will be discussing in the text. We have divided them in to eight categories: retention basins, rainwater harvesting, constructed wetlands, detention basins, bioswales, rain gardens, green roofs, and permeable pavement.
Retention and detention ponds are fundamental green infrastructure technologies. Both retention and detention ponds hold water and thus reduce peak runoff rates associated with storms, which decreases flood damage. Retention bonds are continuously filled with some volume of water, and this volume fluctuates based on rain events. Constructed wetlands fall under the umbrella of retention basins. These …show more content…
Rain gardens and bioswales are examples of detention ponds. Rain gardens are shallow, vegetated basins that are frequently installed adjacent to impermeable surfaces such as roads, sidewalks, and parking lots. A runoff inlet allows the stormwater to pool in the rain garden and then either slowly infiltrate into the ground or be absorbed by the vegetation (Yang, Dick, McCoy, Phelan, & Grewal, 2013). Bioswales are long channels along roads or parking lots that slow, store, infiltrate, and treat stormwater flows. Bioswales typically have less vegetation than rain gardens, and therefore, require less maintenance. The effectiveness of rain gardens and bioswales in terms of pollutant removal rates increases when they are well-maintained (weeded, watered, debris removed), and when the residence time of the water within the system increases (Jurries, 2003). Non-vegetated, manmade detention basins are also considered “green infrastructure” because they reduce the peak flow of runoff and divert stormwater from entering the sewer/wastewater
Retention and detention ponds are fundamental green infrastructure technologies. Both retention and detention ponds hold water and thus reduce peak runoff rates associated with storms, which decreases flood damage. Retention bonds are continuously filled with some volume of water, and this volume fluctuates based on rain events. Constructed wetlands fall under the umbrella of retention basins. These …show more content…
Rain gardens and bioswales are examples of detention ponds. Rain gardens are shallow, vegetated basins that are frequently installed adjacent to impermeable surfaces such as roads, sidewalks, and parking lots. A runoff inlet allows the stormwater to pool in the rain garden and then either slowly infiltrate into the ground or be absorbed by the vegetation (Yang, Dick, McCoy, Phelan, & Grewal, 2013). Bioswales are long channels along roads or parking lots that slow, store, infiltrate, and treat stormwater flows. Bioswales typically have less vegetation than rain gardens, and therefore, require less maintenance. The effectiveness of rain gardens and bioswales in terms of pollutant removal rates increases when they are well-maintained (weeded, watered, debris removed), and when the residence time of the water within the system increases (Jurries, 2003). Non-vegetated, manmade detention basins are also considered “green infrastructure” because they reduce the peak flow of runoff and divert stormwater from entering the sewer/wastewater