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Comparative BMP phosphorus removal

Information: The values in this table represent information from the literature. The values do not represent credits provided elsewhere in this manual. See, for example, Information on pollutant removal by BMPs and Phosphorus credits for bioretention systems with an underdrain

General summary of comparative BMP phosphorus removal performancea,e,f
BMP Group BMP Design Variation Average TP Removal Rate (%)b Maximum TP Removal Rate (%)c Average Soluble P Removal Rate (%)dg
Bioretention Underdrain 59
see Phosphorus credits for bioretention systems with an underdrain
80
see Phosphorus credits for bioretention systems with an underdrain
0
see Phosphorus credits for bioretention systems with an underdrain
Infiltration
  • 100 for infiltrated portion
  • 0 for non-infiltrated portion
  • 100 for infiltrated portion
  • 0 for non-infiltrated portion
  • 100 for infiltrated portion
  • 0 for non-infiltrated portion
Filtration Media Filter 50 55 0
Vegetative Filters (dry) 50 55 0
Wet Swale 0 35 0
Infiltrationf,i Infiltration Trench
  • 100 for infiltrated portion
  • 0 for non-infiltrated portion
  • 100 for infiltrated portion
  • 0 for non-infiltrated portion
  • 100 for infiltrated portion
  • 0 for non-infiltrated portion
Infiltration Basin
  • 100 for infiltrated portion
  • 0 for non-infiltrated portion
  • 100 for infiltrated portion
  • 0 for non-infiltrated portion
  • 100 for infiltrated portion
  • 0 for non-infiltrated portion
Stormwater Ponds Wet Pond 50 75 0
Multiple Pond 60 75 0
Stormwater Wetlands Shallow Wetland 40 45 0
Pond/Wetland 44 49 33
a Removal rates shown in table are a composite of five sources: ASCE/EPA International BMP Database; Caraco (CWP), 2001; MDE, 2000; Winer (CWP), 2000; and Issue Paper D P8 modeling
b Average removal efficiency expected under MPCA Construction Stormwater General Permit sizing requirements
c Upper limit on phosphorus removal with increased sizing and design features, based on national review
d Average rate of soluble phosphorus removal in literature
e See also Stormwater pollutant removal, stormwater credits
f Note that the performance numbers apply only to that portion of total flow actually being treated; it does not include any runoff that by-passes the BMP
g Note that soluble P can transfer from surface water to ground water, but this column refers only to surface water
h Note that 100% is assumed for all infiltration, but only for that portion of the flow fully treated in the infiltration facility; by-passed runoff or runoff diverted via underdrain does not receive this level of treatment 

Caution: Removal rates shown here are composite averages intended solely for use in comparing performance between BMP designs and for use in calculating load reduction in site-based TP models. They have been adapted, rounded and slightly discounted from statistical values published in BMP performance databases.