Public Works & Utilities

Rain gardens, also known as porous landscape detention, are engineered landscaped depressions that provide bioretention of pollutants in stormwater runoff. Bioretention removes pollutants through multiple processes including sedimentation, filtering, adsorption, evapotranspiration, and biological uptake. Bioswales are similar, designed with layers of vegetation and soil, also including a perforated pipe or underdrain in the gravel bed for enhanced stormwater filtration into the soil and drainage system.

How They Work: Stormwater runoff flows into the rain garden or bioretention area, collecting in the garden. Runoff may pool 6 to 12 inches above the mulch, but within 48 hours, it filters through the plant bed. Native plants absorb runoff and nutrients through their roots, while excess runoff soaks through mulch and filter media layers into the gravel bed and underlying soils. This process filters pollutants before releasing stormwater into waterways.

Maintenance: Property owners are responsible for rain garden or bioretention area maintenance.

• Water during dry spells to promote plant growth.
• Prune and weed for appearance.
• Maintain 1 to 3 inches of mulch depth.
• Ensure healthy vegetation, removing dead plants and replanting as necessary.

Grass swales are shallow, sloped, densely vegetated channels designed to treat stormwater runoff. Grass buffers are vegetated areas around wet basins and wetlands.

How They Work: Vegetation in swales and buffers slows water, enabling sedimentation and pollutant filtering through subsoil.

Maintenance: Property owners are responsible for maintaining swales in accordance with local regulations.

• Keep grass mowed, no shorter than 3 inches.
• Remove litter, debris, leaves, and sediment regularly to prevent clogging.

Structural containers with open bottoms allowing runoff to filter through and infiltrate the ground. Two types: infiltration planters (infiltrate through native soils) and flow-through planters (with impervious liners and overflow pipes).

How They Work: Runoff filters through the planter and infiltrates the ground. Native plants aid in pollutant removal.

Maintenance: Property owners are responsible for stormwater planter maintenance.

• Water during dry spells to support plant growth.
• Prune, weed, and replenish mulch as needed.
• Ensure healthy vegetation by replacing dead plants with appropriate natives.

Permeable pavements replace traditional pavements, allowing stormwater infiltration through pervious surfaces into stone aggregate below.

How It Works: Runoff infiltrates void spaces in the stone aggregate while providing stable surfaces. Commonly used for walkways, parking areas, and patios to treat stormwater and prevent runoff.

Maintenance: Property owners are responsible for pervious pavement maintenance.

• Monitor surface for sediment buildup; remove when necessary.
• Vacuum-sweep pavement or interlocking joints.
• Keep voids clean and free of inhibiting materials.
• Maintain nearby planted areas to prevent soil wash into pavement.

Green roofs are vegetative rooftops that reduce energy consumption, stormwater runoff, and pollution. They can extend a roof's lifespan and offset urban heat.

How They Work: Green roofs employ plants to enhance energy efficiency, stormwater management, and urban cooling.

Maintenance: Options range in complexity, but well-maintained green roofs can offer substantial benefits to commercial properties.