Construction specifications for bioretention

Construction Details

CADD based details for bioretention are contained in the Computer-aided design and drafting (CAD/CADD) drawings section. The following details, with specifications, have been created for bioretention systems:

• Bioretention Facilities General Plan
• Bioretention Facilities Performance Types Cross-Sections
  • Infiltration / Recharge Facility
  • Filtration / Partial Recharge Facility
  • Infiltration / Filtration / Recharge Facility
  • Filtration Only Facility

Materials Specifications

Soil Medium / Filter Media Content

Mix A: Water Quality Blend

A well blended, homogenous mixture of 55-65% construction sand: 10-20% top soil; and 25-35% organic leaf compost is necessary to provide a soil medium with a high infiltration/filtration capacity.

Sand: Provide clean construction sand, free of deleterious materials. AASHTO M-6 or ASTM C-33 with grain size of 0.02”- 0.04”

Top Soil: Sandy loam, loamy sand, or loam texture per USDA textural triangle with less than 5% clay content

Organic Leaf Compost: (MnDOT Grade 2) 2 (see also the section on Using Compost as a Soil Amendment

Mix B: Enhanced Filtration Blend

A well-blended, homogenous mixture of 50-70% construction sand and 30-50% organic leaf compost is necessary to provide a soil medium with a higher infiltration/filtration capacity.

Sand: Provide clean construction sand, free of deleterious materials. AASHTO M-6 or ASTM C-33 with grain size of 0.02”-0.04”

Organic Leaf Compost: Mn/DOT Grade 2

Topsoil in the mix will help with some nutrient removal, especially nutrients, but extra care must be taken during construction to inspect the soils before installation and to avoid compaction.

Soil Medium / Filter Media Depth

Field experiments show that pollutant removal is accomplished within the top 30” of soil depth with minimal additional removal beyond that depth (Prince George’s County, 2002). Therefore, the recommended depth of the prepared soil is 30 inches. However, if large trees are preferred in the design, a soil depth of 48”-52” should be utilized. The soil depth generally depends upon the root depth of the prescribed vegetation and content of underlying soils.

Gravel Filter Specifications - Under-drain gravel blanket shall be double washed stone, 1-1/2” in size. Pea Gravel shall be washed, river-run, round diameter, ¼ - ½ in size.

Recommended Maintenance Activities For Bioretention Areas (Source: adapted from EPA, 1999)

• As needed
  • Prune and weed to maintain appearance.
  • Mulch replacement when erosion is evident.
  • Remove trash and debris.
  • Mow filter strip.

• Semi-annually
  • Inspect inflow points for clogging (off-line systems). Remove any sediment.
  • Inspect filter strip/grass channel for erosion or gullying. Re-seed or sod as necessary.
  • Trees and shrubs should be inspected to evaluate their health and remove any dead or severely diseased vegetation.

• Annually
  • Inspect and remove any sediment and debris build-up in pre-treatment areas.
  • Inspect inflow points and bioretention surface for build up of road sand associated with spring melt period. Remove as necessary and replant areas that have been impacted by sand/salt build up.

• 2 to 3 years
  • Replace mulch over the entire area.
  • Replace pea gravel diaphragm or filter fabric if warranted.
  • The planting soils should be tested for pH to establish acidic levels. If the pH is below 5.2, limestone should be applied. If the pH is above 7.0 to 8.0, then iron sulfate plus sulfur can be added to reduce the pH.

Warning: A maintenance plan clarifying maintenance responsibility is REQUIRED. Effective long-term operation of bioretention practices necessitates a dedicated and routine maintenance schedule with clear guidelines and schedules. Proper maintenance will not only increase the expected lifespan of the facility

Mulch Content and Depth - Fresh shredded bark mulch (Mn/DOT Type 6) should be used when possible to maximize nitrogen retention. If aged mulch is used, use the shredded type instead of the “chip” variety to minimize floating action. The mulch layer should not exceed 3” in depth. Too much mulch can restrict oxygen flow to roots. In addition, mulch should not be mounded around the base of plants since this encourages damage from pests and diseases.

Construction Specifications

Given that the construction of bioretention practices incorporates techniques or steps which may be considered non-traditional; it is recommended that the construction specifications include the following format and information:

Temporary Erosion Control

• Install prior to site disturbance
• Protect catch basin/inlet
• It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that future bioretention locations not be used as temporary sedimentation basins. If used as temporary sedimentation basins, the bioretention practice should be over excavated a minimum of 18” below sedimentation basin grade

Excavation, Backfill and Grading

• Timing of grading of infiltration practices relative to total site development
• Use of low-impact, earth moving equipment (wide track or marsh track equipment, or light equipment with turf-type tires)
• Do not over-excavate
• Restoration in the event of sediment accumulation during construction of practice
• Alleviate any compacted soil (compaction can be alleviated at the base of the practice by using a primary tilling operation such as a chisel plow, ripper or sub-soiler to a minimum 12” depth
• Gravel backfill specifications
• Gravel filter specifications
• Filter fabric specifications

Native Plants, Planting and Transplanting (MN Plant List in Appendix E)

• Site preparation of planting areas
• Timing of native seeding and native planting
• Weed control
• Watering of plant material

Construction Sequence Scheduling

• Temporary construction access
• Location of silt fence installation to protect BMPs and downstream receiving waters
• Removal and storage of excavated material
• Installation of underground utilities
• Rough grading
• Seeding and mulching disturbed areas
• Road construction
• Final grading
• Site stabilization
• Installation of semi-permanent and permanent erosion control measures
• Silt fence removal

Construction Observation

• Adherence to construction documents
• Verification of physical site conditions
• Erosion control measures installed appropriately

Summary of Bioretention Variants for Permeability of Native Soils and Potential Land use Pollutant Loading
(Link to this table)

Bioretention Type1	Variant	Underlying Soil Performance Criteria
Bioinfiltration (Infiltration/Recharge Facility)	No underdrain	Higher recharge potential (facility drain time without underdrain is 48 hours or less)
Biofiltration with underdrain at the bottom (Filtration/Partial Recharge Facility)	Underdrain	Lower recharge potential (facility drain time without underdrain is > 48 hours)
Biofiltration with internal water storage	Underdrain	Lower recharge potential (facility drain time without underdrain is >48 hours)
Biofiltration with elevated underdrain (Infiltration/Filtration/Recharge Facility)	Elevated underdrain	Higher nutrient loadings and/or quantity control
Biofiltration with liner (Filtration Only Facility)	Underdrain with liner	Hot Spot Treatment

¹The terminology has been changed from the original manual. The original Manual terminology is shown in parenthesis. For more information, see Bioretention terminology