SUMMARY OF THREE INNOVATIVE STORM WATER BMPS

With the implementation of EPA's Phase 2 storm water permitting program and the changing focus of local and State storm water regulations, water quality and pollutant removal are growing issues in the storm water field. In this regulatory environment, municipal managers must look at storm water management in a holistic manner and determine such factors as the area to be managed, the soil types and land uses that prevail in the drainage area, and other factors. Based on this initial survey, storm water managers must then evaluate which Best Management Practice (BMP) strategies are appropriate for their area. This determination should include an evaluation of storm water BMP performance in terms of both flow control and water quality benefits. For the most part, past BMP evaluations have focused on individual sites evaluated under widely varying conditions, making comparisons of BMP types difficult. This paper evaluates three types of innovative storm water BMPs - storm water wetlands; bioretention; and modular systems (i.e., the StormTreat Tm system) -and compares them in terms of specific applications and performance data. These three BMPs combine the flow control benefits of other structural BMPs with the enhanced pollutant removal capabilities inherent in vegetation-enhanced storm water BMPs. They are particularly effective relative to other BMPs in nutrient removal, which may make them appropriate for specific storm water applications. By using this comparative approach with their site- or area-specific requirements in mind, storm water managers will be able to choose the right storm water BMP to fit their needs.