SWM Planning and Lot

Level Design and Control

November
Presentation Title15, 2019
Goes in Here
 Overview
• Environmental and Municipal Land Use Planning
• Components of a Sub watershed Plan
• Select Preferred Strategy
• Implementation Plan and Environmental
Management Plan
• Integrated Planning for Stormwater Management
• Conveyance Control System
• Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
• Design Modifications for Cold Climates
 The Objectives
• Understand:
– Environmental planning process and its
relationship with the Municipal Land Use
process;
– The process used and the typical deliverables
from each type of environmental study;
– The design of lot Level SWM BMPS:
• Bioswale/swale, Infiltration trench, raingarden, super
pipes, roof storage etc.
 Environmental and Municipal Land
Use Planning
• Figure on next slide illustrates relationships between
municipal land use and environmental planning.
• The agencies that are typically involved with the review
and approval are listed.
• Several agencies have produced procedural manuals for
environmental planning studies.
• The watershed plan provides direction for development
and set goals.
• Information pertaining to resources, constraints, sources
of contamination, key issues, resource goals and
environmental targets may be provided.
Relationship Between the Environmental Planning and
the Municipal Land Use Planning Process
 Expertise Required
• The expertise required for each study is dependent
upon the level of detail required.
• The proponent and review agencies require expertise
in:
– Surface water resources;
– Groundwater;
– Aquatic resources;
– Water quality;
– Terrestrial ecology;
– Municipal engineering;
– Fluvial geomorphology; and
– Environmental and land use planning.
 Watershed Plan
• Watershed plans deal with the area drained by a major river
– (e.g., Don, Credit, Grand, Thames, Rideau,)
• Watershed plan study area is defined by the natural drainage
boundaries;
• A watershed plan address environmental issues associated with
area;
• The study provide an overall picture as to how land use practices
may affect environmental resources;
• How land use changes should take place without causing adverse
impacts to the watershed resources.
• Contain recommendations on implementation, resource
management, goals and objectives.
• Information pertaining to resources, constraints, sources of
contamination, key issues, resource goals and environmental
targets may be provided.
 Sub watershed Plan
• The area under consideration in a sub
watershed plan is typically 50 to 200 km² (but
may vary);
• The key steps or components of a sub
watershed plan are shown in Figure (slide 9),
and are briefly described below;
• Broad range of input; and
• Technical and implementation steps.
Components of a Sub watershed Plan
Components of a Sub watershed Plan
1. Collecting Background Information
• Site Survey;
• Geotechnical Info such Boreholes, test pits etc;
• Soil type and classifications;
• Maps;
• Previous studies or projects;
• Hydrogeology data;
• Groundwater data;
• Hydrologic data and models;
• Hydraulic data and models;
• Species at risk;
• Woodland and wetland; and
• Scientific and research info.
• etc.
 Components of a Sub watershed Plan
2. Establish Existing Environmental Conditions
• Typical component studies that need to be undertaken include:
– Surface water resources
• Water quantity and quality
– Water budget/water balance and base flows target and
requirements,
– Hydrogeology and groundwater flow requirements,
– Fluvial geomorphology;
– Characterization of resources such as:
• Wetlands, woodlots, landforms and specially designated
natural areas; and
– Aquatic resources, including fish and macro invertebrate
(aquatic insect) inventories
 Components of a Sub watershed Plan
3. Identify Existing Form, Function, Linkage of Natural
System
• The identification of sub watershed form and
function to the Natural Environment:
– The affects of development and planning and its
relationship with existing conditions
– Example:
• Identification of the existing wetland and woodland
• Protection of the wetland and woodland and their
functions (flood control or water quality etc)
• Buffer or setback requirements
• Mimic the natural system
Components of a Sub watershed Plan
4. Identifying Environmental Goals
• Quantity Control
• Quality Control
• Base flow
• Water Budget
• Water Balance
• Sediment and Erosion
• Ecological and biological
• Aquatic
• etc.
Components of a Sub watershed Plan
5. Evaluate Alternatives

• The various alternative available

• The evaluation system and scoring
• The scoring criteria
• The economic vs. environmental based
alternatives
Components of a Sub watershed Plan
6. Select Preferred Strategy

• A preferred strategy is selected from the

alternatives based on criteria which may include:
– Public acceptance;
– Cost;
– Technical feasibility;
– Ability to meet defined goals and objectives;
– Potential of the strategy to enhance the environment;
and
– Impact of the strategy on future land uses.
 Components of a Sub watershed Plan
7. Implementation Plan
• Components of the implementation plan may include:
– Sub watershed plan administration;
– Rehabilitation/restoration opportunities; and
– Implementation considerations for each SWMP, including:
• Land use planning considerations;
• Cost;
• Review agency;
• Funding;
• Education/stewardship opportunities;
• Monitoring requirements;
• Future studies/initiatives;
• Timeframe for review/update of plan; and
• Community participation.
 Environmental Management Plan
• The Environmental Management Plan, aka Environmental
Impact Report, Environmental Area Plan or Master
Environmental Servicing Plan, is typically carried out prior
to consideration of Draft Plan Approval.
• The boundaries for the EMP may match the tributary sub
catchment boundary or Secondary Plan boundary or a
portion thereof.
• With respect to the level of detail of the EMP, one of the
objectives of the Sub watershed Plan is to provide sufficient
detail so that future work would not be required beyond
the tributary or Secondary Plan level.
• The EMP should be of sufficient detail that individual
subdivision plans may proceed pending the completion of
the EMP.
 Preparation of the Environmental
Management Plan
• Key deliverables may include:
– Map illustrating areas to be protected/restored, together with proposed
development patterns;
– Preliminary design of restoration/enhancement measures, e.g., proposed cross
section of terrestrial/aquatic/recreation corridor;
– Summary of findings from the EIS;
– Location sizing and preliminary design of all SWMPs, together with drainage areas;
– Identification of areas where special consideration is required at the subdivision
plan stage, e.g., areas requiring grading limits and tree preservation planning;
– Detailed description of steps to be undertaken at the subdivision plan phase;
– Preliminary sediment control plan;
– Operation and maintenance considerations and land use patterns;
– Open space connections and linkages;
– Top of bank delineation; and
– Major/minor system routes.
 Integrated Planning for Stormwater
Management
• Regard for the need for SWM with recognition of ecological
functions of the watershed;
• Provides the fundamental basis for SWM quality and quantity
• Planning which is ingrained within the municipal planning
process, ensures that the important features are identified and
understood.
• SWM opportunities afforded by the existing natural heritage
and hazards features.
• Provide the step-by-step method for evaluating the impacts of
different forms and degrees of development on receiving
waters.
• Maintain the integrity of ecosystems, essential planning tools
include scientific data documenting the effectiveness of
mitigating measures and the consideration of cumulative
effects.
 Conveyance Control System
• End of Pipe Controls:
– Wet Ponds;
– Wetlands;
– Dry Ponds;
– Infiltration Basins
– etc.

• Lot Level Conveyance Controls:

– Rooftop Storage;
– Parking Lot Storage;
– Superpipe Storage
– Roof Leader to Ponding Areas/storage/rain barrel etc.
– Roof Leader Discharge to Soakaway Pits
– etc
 Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
• Lot level and conveyance controls are applied
at the individual lot level;
• Applicable to small drainage areas (< 2 ha);
• They can be divided into two categories;
– Storage Controls; and
– Infiltration/Filteration/Delaying Controls.
 Storage Controls

• Storage Controls Includes:

– Rooftop Storage;
– Parking lot Storage;
– Superpipe; and
– Rear yard Storage.
• These are designed to detain runoff to reduce
peak runoff rates.
 Infiltration Based Controls
• Infiltration Based Controls may Includes:
– Grading such that it allow ponding of runoff and
infiltration;
– Directing roof leaders to rear yard, soakaway pits,
cisterns or rain barrels;
– Sump pump drains to rear yard;
– Infiltration trenches;
– Grassed swales;
– Pervious pipe systems; and
– Vegetated filter strips.
 Infiltration and Water Quality

• Runoff may contain high concentrations of suspended

solids which may clog the voids in the soil;
• Infiltration may contaminate groundwater quality;
• Infiltration measures are ideally suited to the infiltration
of clean runoff such as from rooftops or foundation
drainage.
• If the quality of the runoff may pose water quality
problem with clogging in the system or degradation of
groundwater quality, pre-treatment is required;
• Infiltration controls are not appropriate for applications
with the potential for highly contaminated SWM runoff
i.e. industrial or commercial land uses.
 Maintenance of Lot Level Controls
• The lot levels controls are implemented by land
owners;
• Land owner is responsible for the maintenance
and the long-term effectiveness of the system;
• Landowner education is the key to ensure that
the systems remain effective over time;
• The success of lot level control requires
commitment of the municipality by creating
partnerships between the developer, municipality
and landowner to realize consistent benefits over
the long term.
 Siting of Stormwater Management
Facilities
• Site conditions must be addressed in the
development of a SWM plan;
• Factors considered in the evaluation of the
physical feasibility of SWMPs includes:
– Topography;
– Soil type;
– Depth to bedrock;
– Depth to seasonally high water table; and
– Drainage area.
 Design Modifications for Cold Climates
• The major recommendations relating to cold
climate design includes:
– Increased storage volumes to account for volume
reductions due to ice and effects of multi-day spring
melt;
– Sizing and location of inlets and outlets to avoid ice
clogging and freeze-up;
– Ice formation may eliminate a permanent pool entirely
so that only active storage is available for treatment;
and
– Setting the minimum active storage volume to 25% of
the total volume.
Design Modifications for Cold Climates
• The thickness of ice can be estimated using Stefan’s
Equation (Ashton, 1986):
Design Modifications for Cold Climates
 Mitigation Measures for Increased
Temperature (Thermal Loading)
• Urban development and end-of-pipe SWM facilities increase
the temperature of waters;
• Table shows average Temperature Increase by SWM P Type
 Mitigation Measures for Increased
Temperature (Thermal Loading)
• Techniques to Reduce Thermal Impacts:
– Pond Configuration:
• Maximize length-to-width ratio; and
• Planted berms and islands can be used.
– Riparian Planting Strategy:
• The planting strategy should shade open water areas when
the vegetation reaches maturity.
– Bottom-draw Outlet:
• Dependent on the size of the permanent pool and the
release depth;
• Ponds with a very deep release (> 3 m) should consider re-
aeration in the pond
 Mitigation Measures for Increased
Temperature (Thermal Loading)
• Subsurface Trench Outlet:
– Routing the discharge through a subsurface trench
filled with clear stone;
– Water flows through the trench and the heat is
transferred to the stone;
– The length of the trench should be maximized to
increase the opportunity for heat transfer.
 Mitigation Measures for Increased
Temperature (Thermal Loading)
• Night Time Release:
– Water in ponds cools down during the night as a result
of ambient temperature fluctuations that can be up to
5°C;
– Early morning releases should be targeted for facilities
which are designed with real time controls;
• Outlet Channel Design:
– Lengthy outlet channel from the SWM facility to the
receiving waters;
– The outlet channel from SWM facility to the receiving
waters should be shaded by plantings to minimize the
temperature.
 Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Rooftop Storage
• Flat building roofs can be used to store runoff
to reduce peak flow rates to storm sewer
systems;
• Applicable to large flat commercial and
industrial rooftops; and
• Local Municipality should be consulted to
determine what is allowable.
 Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Rooftop Storage
• Design Guidance:
– Storage Volumes and Release Rates:
• Plates, weirs or orifices are used in rooftop drainage hoppers
to control the rate of discharge and depth of storage;
• Drainage hoppers can discharge to the internal building
drainage system or externally to the ground;
• Discharge rates are specified by the manufacturer;
• Discharge values for each hopper can range from 1 to 15 L/s;
• Large commercial roofs can store 50 mm to 80 mm of runoff;
• Structural and mechanical engineers should supervise the
detailed design of rooftop storage to ensure that loadings are
not exceeded.
 Rooftop Storage

http://www.sevacall.com/blog/2013/02/ http://www.kessel.com/products/drains-
s/roofers/flat-roof-water-drainage/ and-channels/parking-yard-balcony-roof-
drains/flachdachablaeufe.html
 Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Rooftop Storage
• Emergency Overflows:
– Openings must be designed in the roof parapet
walls to ensure loading requirements are not
exceeded during excessive runoff events in case
roof hoppers are blocked;
– Rooftop storage requires periodic inspections and
maintenance; and
– Frequent inspections for blockages should be
made during the winter and fall months.
 Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Rooftop Storage
• Drain Pipe Sizing:
– Vertical drain pipes should be sized to convey the
maximum flows discharged from the roof
hoppers;
– Vertical pipe capacities range from 2 L/s for 50
mm diameter pipes to 40 L/s for 150 mm diameter
pipes;
• Technical Effectiveness:
– Rooftop storage is highly effective in reducing
downstream peak flow.
Steps in the Designing Rooftop Storage
• Step 1: Consider a rooftop and Area;
• Step 2: Find out the allowable storage depth and storm
duration;
• Step 3: Use rational formula to find the runoff using the
allowable depth of rain:
– Q = 0.0028CIA
– C = 0.85 to 0.98
• Step 4: Use weir or V- Notch or orifice formula to design the
conveyance of the runoff:
– Rectangular Weir is Q = CLH3/2
– Rectangular Notch Q = 2/3 Cd Sqrt (2g) H3/2
– V- Notch is Q = 8/15 Cd Tan (θ/2) Sqrt (2g) H3/2
– Cd =0.62
 Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Parking Lot Storage
• Parking lots can be used to store runoff to
reduce peak flow rates in storm sewer
systems;
• It is applicable only to commercial and
industrial lots;
• Parking lot storage is not used in residential
areas due to the small areas unless no other
measures can be used.
 Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Parking Lot Storage
• Design Guidance:
– Storage Volumes and Release Rate:
• Storage is created when flows are greater than the outflows
allowed by the restricted capacity of Inlet Control Devices
(ICDs) placed in maintenance holes or catchbasins (Orifice);
• Generally, ponding depths are limited to 300 mm;
• Simple spreadsheet calculations can be used to size parking
lot storage, or computer simulation programs can be used;
• Storage at a catchbasin or manhole is limited by the
maximum ponding depth; and
• Generally, grades are greater than 0.5% and less than 5%.
 Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Parking Lot Storage
• Control Location:
– ICDs can be located in catchbasins or at maintenance
holes located on the property boundary;
– Controls at the property boundary allow the
municipality to check the operation of the control at
its convenience;
– Frequent ponding areas should be located away from
buildings within the site; and
– Storage of runoff during an event can be a nuisance to
parking lot users.
Steps in Designing Parking Lot Storage
1. Find Area or Areas depends on grading;
2. Find the storage requirements as per the Municipality
requirements (Post to Pre-development for given storm
event);
3. Calculate flows (targets) under the existing or pre-
development conditions using time of Concentration and IDF
parameters;
4. Calculate flows under the proposed or post-development
conditions using time of Concentration and IDF parameters;
5. Calculate the volume required to be stored on the site; and
6. Use a control device (orifice etc) to control the runoff from
the site.
 Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Superpipe Storage
• Superpipe are used to reduce peak flow rates by providing
subsurface storage;
• Provide marginal water quality benefits as some of the coarse
sediment may settle;
• Used for small development sites which may lack sufficient
surface space to construct detention facilities;
• Design and construction standards for superpipes are defined
by the local municipality or township;
• Superpipes are equipped with small outlet pipes;
• As inflow rates are much larger than outflow rates, runoff is
detained; and
• Compared to traditional surface facilities, land requirements
for superpipes are small but material costs are high.
 Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Superpipe Storage
• Design Guidance:
– Inlets and Outlets:
• Inlets are the on-site storm sewer system
• Outlets are much smaller pipes that may discharge to watercourses or
existing storm sewer systems.
• Length and Diameter:
– The length and diameter of the superpipe will be a function of
the storage required to meet off-site discharge rates;
– Maximum pre-manufactured diameters are approximately 3 m;
– Some municipalities have established minimum sizes to
facilitate cleaning; and
– Generally, pipes with diameters less than 1.8 m are difficult to
clean.
Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Super pipe Storage
 Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Superpipe Storage
• Emergency Overflows:
– Emergency surface overflow paths should be located and
sized to convey the 100 year runoff in case the superpipe
(inlet/outlet) becomes plugged or inoperable;
– Location of Superpipes should be where the pipes can be
easily excavated for maintenance;
• Maintenance:
– Personnel access points should be located at the upstream
and downstream ends of the superpipe;
• Technical Effectiveness:
– Superpipes are very effective in reducing site peak flow
rates;
– Not very effective for improving water quality.
 Steps in the Design of Super Pipe
Storage
1. Find draining area or areas to the proposed super pipe;
2. Check with the local Municipality for SWM requirements;
3. Calculate flows under the existing or pre-development
conditions;
4. Calculate flows under the post-development conditions;
5. Calculate the storage requirements;
6. Find dia and area of the pipe (Area x length) to find
volume; and
7. Design control device (orifice etc) to control the flow from
the site.
 Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Roof Leader to Ponding Areas
• Ponding can be created in the rear yard or along
the rear lot line;
• Roof leaders are discharged to the surface and
directed to the ponding area;
• Water is detained in the ponding area until it
either evaporates or infiltrates or conveyed;
• Sometimes, if the soil on the site does not
support infiltration, then rain barrels or cisterns
are proposed; and
• Water can be stored for later use in the garden or
on the lawn.
Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Roof Leader to Ponding Areas
 Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Roof Leader to Ponding Areas
• Design Guidance:
– Ponding can be implemented for soils having a percolation
rate 15 mm/h.
– Infiltration can be improved by tilling the ponding area to a
depth of approximately 300 mm before sod is laid.
• Storage Volume:
– A minimum storage volume of 5 mm over the rooftop area
should be accommodated in the rear yard without
overflowing.
• Ponding Depth:
– Maximum ponding depth of 100 mm is allowable;
– Overland flow path should be established for depths greater
than 100 mm.
 Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Roof Leader Discharge to Soakaway Pits
• The SWM runoff from the roof is infiltrated
into underground infiltration trench called
soakaway pit;
• The roof drainage is conveyed directly to the
trench by the roof leader; and
• The infiltration trench or soakaway pit usually
serves a single lot and which does not receive
any road runoff.
 Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Roof Leader Discharge to Soakaway Pits
 Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Roof Leader Discharge to Soakaway Pits
• Design Guidance:
– Water Table Depth:
• The depth from the bottom of the soakaway pit to the
estimated seasonally high water table should be greater
than or equal to 1 metre.
– Soils:
• Soakaway pits can be used where soils have a percolation
rate 15 mm/h
– Storage Volume:
• A minimum storage volume of 5 mm should be
accommodated in the soakaway pit without overflowing.
 Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Roof Leader Discharge to Soakaway Pits
• Storage Configuration:
– The length of trench, in the direction of inflow,
should be maximized compared to the width to
ensure the proper distribution of water into the
entire trench;
– The permeability of the native soil will dictate the
maximum allowable underground storage depth;
– Storage depths greater than 1 or 1.5 m are not
recommended for soakaway pits; and
– In areas with deep sand, deep soakaway pits may
be preferred.
 Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Roof Leader Discharge to Soakaway Pits
• Storage Configuration:
– Maximum Allowable Soakaway Pit Depth
 Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Roof Leader Discharge to Soakaway Pits
 Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Roof Leader Discharge to Soakaway Pits
• Soakaway Pit Details:
 Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Roof Leader Discharge to Soakaway Pits
• Conveyance Pipe:
– The roof leader should be extend into the
soakaway pit for the full length of the pit;
• Overflow By-pass:
– A removable filter should be incorporated into the
roof leader below the overflow pipe;
– The filter should have a screened bottom to
prevent leaves and debris from entering the
soakaway pit;
 Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Sump Pumping of Foundation Drains
• Development standards allow foundation
drains to be connected to the storm sewer;
• Alternatively sump pumps can discharge
foundation drainage to the surface or
soakaway pits;
• The local municipality should be consulted
before recommending sump pump and its
proposed design.
 Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Sump Pumping of Foundation Drains
 Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Sump Pumping of Foundation Drains
 Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Sump Pumping of Foundation Drains
 Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Sump Pumping of Foundation Drains
• Design Guidance:
– Water Table Depth
• Sump pumps should not be utilized when water table is
within 1 metre of the building foundation drains
– Depth to Bedrock
• Not feasible when the local bed rock is within 1 m of the
foundation drain elevation
– Location
• Figure showing the details of the location
• Soakaway pit should be located a minimum of 4 metres
away from all building foundations
• When foundation drains are discharged to the surface, the
discharge point at the ground surface should be located at
least 2 metres away from all building foundations
 Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Infiltration Trenches
• Infiltration trenches refer to subsurface storage
component;
• It treat stormwater runoff from several lots as
opposed to soakaway pits which are primarily
used for a single lot application;
• Infiltration trenches can be used to intercept
overland flows, or underground;
• Infiltration trenches should be confirmed because
of potential concerns for aquifer contamination;
and
• Infiltration trenches provides marginal flooding,
erosion control and water quality.
Infiltration Trenches
Infiltration Trenches
 Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Infiltration Trenches
• Design Guidance:
– Drainage Area:
• Infiltration trenches can be implemented for small drainage
areas (< 2 ha);
– Land Use:
• Can be implemented for residential land uses such as cluster
housing, townhouses in small parks/green space areas.
• Not suitable for industrial and commercial land uses since
there is a high potential for groundwater contamination.
– Water Table Depth:
• Should be > 1 m below the bottom of the infiltration trench.
– Bedrock Depth:
• Should be > 1 m below the bottom of the infiltration trench.
 Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Infiltration Trenches
• Soils:
– Not recommended if soil has a percolation rate less than 15
mm/h;
• Storage Configuration:
– The depth of the storage layer should be sized to ensure a 24 to 48
hour drawdown
– The following equation can be used to calculate the maximum
allowable storage depth in the trench.
• d = PT/1,000
– A maximum storage volume equal to the runoff from a 4 hour 15
mm storm should be provided in the trench storage.
– The length of the trench perpendicular to the flow direction
should be maximized;
– If runoff is conveyed as channel flow, the length of trench parallel
to the direction of flow should be maximized;
– In a subsurface trench, the water is conveyed into the trench via a
pipe system
 Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Infiltration Trenches
• The appropriate bottom area of the trench can be
calculated using Equation the equation
Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Infiltration Trenches
Also, Depth is

d = (PT)/1000

Where

d = Max Allowable depth (m)

P = Percolation Rate in mm/hr

T = Drawdown Time
 Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Infiltration Trenches
• Storage Media:
– The storage media holds the runoff until it
percolate into the ground
– It is recommended to use 50 mm diameter clear
stone along with gravel is the most common
medium used
Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Infiltration Trenches
 Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Infiltration Trenches
• Filter Layer:
– A filter layer is constructed underneath the storage layer to
provide quality enhancement of the stormwater runoff
before it infiltrates the native soil;
– The most common filter medium used in infiltration
trenches is sand;
– The sand layer should be approximately 0.15 m - 0.30 m
thick;
– Grain size is specified based on the effective size (d10 –
10% of the particles are less than this size) and coefficient
of uniformity (Cu – the larger the number, the less uniform
the material);
– Sands with an effective size of 0.25 mm to 2.5 and Cu 3.5
to Cu 1.5 are recommended for filter material.
Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Infiltration Trenches
 Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Infiltration Trenches
• A by-pass pipe should be incorporated into
the design of an underground infiltration
trench to convey high flows;
• Pre treatment may not be required in
residential areas;
• Pre Treatment is required when the infiltration
trench is being used to treat runoff from roads
and parking lots to minimize the potential for
suspended sediments;
 Lot Level and Conveyance Controls
Grassed Swales
• Grassed swales have historically been used in
rural drainage;
• Convey primarily for SWM runoff;
• Can also filter and detain SWM runoff;
• Dry and Wet Swale:
– Wet swales are wider than dry swale (4-6 m)
– Check dams are used in wet swale;
– Wet swales are also implemented in major
Highway projects;
Grassed Swales
Grassed Swales
Grassed Swales
 Grassed Swales
• Design Guidance
– Cross-section:
• Given typical urban swale dimensions (0.75 m bottom width,
2.5:1 side slopes and 0.5 m depth)
• Contributing drainage area is generally limited to 2 ha
• Maintain a flow of 0.15 m³/s and velocity 0.5 m/s
• Grass should be allowed to grow higher than 75 mm to
enhance the filtration of suspended solids.
– Flow Velocity:
• As a general guideline, grassed swales designed for water
quality enhancement should be designed to convey the peak
flow from a 4 hour 25 mm Chicago storm with a velocity 0.5
m/s.
 Grassed Swales

• Performance Enhancement:
– To promote infiltration of runoff and the settling
of pollutants, check dams are constructed at
intervals along the swale system;
– The distance between check dams can be
calculated based on the depth of water at the
check dam and the swale channel slope. For
example, if a swale has a 1% slope and a check
dam height of 0.3 m, the distance between check
dams should be 30 metres;
– Trapezoidal section are very common
 Grassed Swales
• Design of Swale
– Manning’s equation is used for the design
– Area draining to the swale
– Roughness co-efficient
– Cross section area and Side Slope
Pervious Catchbasins
 Pervious Catchbasins
• May be used where soils have a percolation rate
15 mm/h;
• Pervious catchbasins should not be implemented
in areas where the seasonal high groundwater
level is within 1 metre of the bottom;
• The depth to bedrock should be greater than or
equal to 1 metre below the bottom;
• The maximum target storage volume should be
equal to the runoff from a 4 hour 15 mm storm
over the contributing drainage area.
 Other Lot Level Conveyance Controls
• Vegetated Filter Strips;
• Rooftop Garden;
• Perforated Pipe System;
• Rainwater Harvesting (Cistern).
• Etc.