Bioretention

A raingarden in a commercial development, Sillwater, Minnesota.

Bioretention is a terrestrial-based (up-land as opposed to wetland) water quality and water quantity control process. Bioretention employs a simplistic, site-integrated design that provides opportunity for runoff infiltration, filtration, storage, and water uptake by vegetation.

Bioretention areas are suitable stormwater treatment practices for all land uses, as long as the contributing drainage area is appropriate for the size of the facility. Common bioretention opportunities include landscaping islands, cul-de-sacs, parking lot margins, commercial setbacks, open space, rooftop drainage and street-scapes (i.e., between the curb and sidewalk). Bioretention, when designed with an underdrain and liner, is also a good design option for treating potential stormwater hotspots (PSHs). Bioretention is extremely versatile because of its ability to be incorporated into landscaped areas. The versatility of the practice also allows for bioretention areas to be frequently employed as stormwater retrofits.

The individual articles comprising this section on bioretention may be viewed as a single article. Note: Due to an unresolved bug, when viewing a formula in a combined article, the math markup (used for equations) is displayed. Thanks.

Acknowledgements

Bioretention articles

• Bioretention terminology
• Overview for bioretention
• Types of bioretention
  • Bioinfiltration (Bioretention with no underdrain)
  • Biofiltration (Bioretention with an underdrain)
• Design criteria for bioretention
• Construction specifications for bioretention
• Operation and maintenance of bioretention
• Cost-benefit considerations for bioretention
• Soil amendments to enhance phosphorus sorption
• Supporting material for bioretention
• External resources for bioretention
• References for bioretention
• Requirements, recommendations and information for using bioretention BMPs in the MIDS calculator