BMP Performance

Range of Best Management Practice Percent Removal Efficiency*

BMP Type TSS Nitrogen Phosphorus Pathogens Metals
Dry Detention Basins 30-65 15-45 15-45 <30 15-45
Retention Basins 50-80 30-65 30-65 <30 50-80
Constructed Wetlands 50-80 < 30 15-45 <30 50-80
Infiltration Basins 50-80 50-80 50-80 65-100 50-80
Infiltration Trenches/Dry Wells 50-80 50-80 15-45 65-100 50-80
Porous Pavement 65-100 65-100 30-65 65-100 65-100
Grassed Swales 30-65 15-45 15-45 <30 15-45
Vegetated Filter Strips 50-80 50-80 50-80 <30 30-65
Surface Sand Filters 50-80 < 30 50-80 <30 50-80
Other Media Filters 65- 100 15-45 <30 <30 50-80

 

It must be stressed that these data represent typical ranges of performance. For both "soft" BMP's, as well as traditional stormwater treatment methods, many factors will affect performance and in some cases there have been reported negative performance, or actual contribution of pollutant to effluent stream. The reasons for this can vary from improper design, to natural fluctuations in water chemistry, to even the overloading of an organic pollutant which can destroy beneficial microbial communities which are required for optimal BMP function. Additionally, issues of maintenance can factor into the system's performance, and the latter concerns should be considered carefully in choosing any method of storm water treatment.

 

By way of full disclosure, the USEPA has written the following:

"The use of BMPs to control storm water runoff and discharges where none previously existed will ultimately result in a change in pollutant loadings, and there are indications that in the aggregate BMPs will improve water quality. The actual manner in which the loadings reductions are achieved will depend on the BMPs selected, which will determine the associated costs. The physical-chemical properties of receiving streams and consequent linkages to biologic/ecologic responses in the aquatic environment, and human responses and values associated with these changes will determine the benefits."

See document :USEPA Preliminary Data Summary of Urban Storm Water Best Management Practices

 

This is the end of the BMP section. The next page leads to the RAN Instrument and Data section: