Treatment Systems

Low Impact Development Designs Porous Asphalt Subsurface Gravel Wetland Bioretention System Treebox Filter Surface Sand Filter
Manufactured Devices
Hydrodynamic Separators ADS Water Quality Unit & Infiltration System Aqua-Filter Stormwater Filtration System
Conventional, Structural Designs
Vegetated Swale Retention Pond

Between September 2004 and August 2006, researchers have evaluated 16 stormwater treatment systems for their ability to improve runoff water quality and reduce runoff quantity over 30 rainfall-runoff events with a range of seasonal and storm characteristics. A summary of our analysis for these systems is presented in this section.

In response to requests from the stormwater management community we also have provided basic information on how these systems work, their design, cost of installation, implementation and maintenance considerations, and where to go for more information.

As you review this information, please keep in mind that no single stormwater treatment is appropriate for all situations. Many factors must be accounted for when designing an effective stormwater management program. For this reason, treatment trains (multiple systems in series) may be the system of choice. This information was synthesized to support better decision-making—not to prefer one system as a silver bullet for all problems.