30 Jan Bioretention Ponds
Bioretention Ponds – Purposeful Landscape Enhancements
A stormwater management plan may include the design and implementation of bioretention ponds. A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SPPP) or Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Plan (SPCC) is a requirement of the U.S. EPA as part of stormwater management for sources, outfalls and run off of water that contains pollutants. In today’s advanced stormwater management planning, bioretention ponds serve the purpose of providing a natural filtration for stormwater runoff containing pollutants.
Useful and Pleasing to the Eye
Bioretention ponds are barely noticeable to the general public. This is due to the design of modern bioretention ponds that appear to be a landscape enhancement. There is more to the design of bioretention ponds. For example, a municipal stormwater outfall within a weir doesn’t have to look like a basin that fills with water. It can be designed to serve multiple purposes. This depends on the types of pollutants in stormwater.
When stormwater runs into local streams or municipal drains, it travels through the drainage system to a pre-constructed pond where it can be filtered through the use of aggregate filtration that lines the walls of the pond. About six to ten inches of water can then be drained into the pond and “held” by an aggregate like specialized salt, sand or gravel. Salt, sand and gravel act create a bioretention pond and are essential to the aggregate filtration system design. Aggregates can collect pollutants in stormwater runoff with each rain or drainage event.
The Design of a Bioretention Pond
Bioretention ponds are designed to fit into the natural environmental and ecological balance in a specific area. These ponds are sometimes referred to as “Natural Areas.” The idea behind bioretention ponds originated from the idea of reducing pollution through more natural means. There are several important parts of a bioretention design. These include:
. Soil beds
. Shallow ponds
. Overflow runoffs
. Sheet flows
. Storm drain inlets
. Piping
. Aggregate filtration
. Landscaping shrubbery and trees for additional bioretention
The design of bioretention ponds allows for maximum efficiency in the collection of stormwater in a highly organic system. Bioretention ponds and basins are most effective in municipalities where stormwater drains into local streams. It is important to understand that stormwater requires sufficient drainage systems and holding ponds without which, flooding becomes a major problem. When stormwater containing pollution has no retention pond system, it is easy to see how that could pose a serious health threat.
Bioretention Ponds Beautify Communities
Most bioretention ponds are built to be shallow bodies of water that are located where stormwater collects from drainage outfalls. The depression in soil in retention ponds help capture stormwater.
To ensure full filtration, the bioretention pond products we provide to developers are natural in appearance and fit seamlessly into surrounding landscapes. For example, a local business may choose to enhance the look of a retention pond on their property by adding shrubs that attract birds or outline the pond with several trees.Since water in bioretention ponds is relatively shallow, this may also attract ducks native to the area. This is how an ordinary retention pond becomes a bioretention pond that is environmentally sound and beautifies communities. Our customers rely on our products and excellent customer service to be efficient and highest quality.
Bioretention Pond Aggregates
Aggregates play a very important role in the proper filtration of bioretention ponds. As suppliers, we offer a wide variety of products intended to effectively filter stormwater while creating natural scenic beauty. Developers and sustainability managers find these upgraded bioretention ponds are not only compliant with environmental regulations but are also encouraged by state and federal agencies.
Contact Same Day Environmental to learn more about our aggregate solutions.
