Stormwater Pollution Control: Best Management Practices

Nonstructural and elementary structural stormwater pollution control measures, known as best management practices (BMPs), are found capable of excellent urban runoff pollution control. Besides costing less than structural measures, which to date have received much attention, BMPs often provide multiple benefits. Case studies describe four successful and very Promising BMPs. Their approaches, implementation, and resulting performance, costs, and impacts are provided for future planners and designers. In Bellevue, Washington, an innovative stormwater utility has effectively administered Bellevue’s stormwater management program. In a regional approach at Montgomery County, Maryland, many source controls have minimized erosion and removed most pollution from urban runoff at moderate costs. Near Lake Tahoe, in California, planning for stormwater management aided by erosion controls has prevented tremendous increases in sediment yields. At San Jose, California, extensive studies revealed that improved street cleaning will effectively control total solids and heavy metals in runoff.