Updates to the MIDS calculator

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Version 2 of the MIDS calculator was updated in 2016. Version 3.0 includes the following changes from Version 2.

• Version 2 files can be imported into Version 3. Direction to import version 2 file are given below.
  • Got to menu
  • Select “Import Version 2”
  • You will be prompted to select a version 2 calculator file to import. An error will appear if a different version is selected.
  • You will then be prompted to enter a name for the new version 3 calculator file.
  • It will take a couple minutes to import.
  • A warning will appear telling the user about added parameters that need to be entered for BMPs updated in the version 3 calculator before credit can be received.
  • It will then take a minute to populate the new values into the calculator.
  • The user will be asked to save the file as a Version 3 file.
• When a user opens the calculator (either an existing file or a new file), the Site Information tab appears. In Version 3 of the calculator, the user must specify whether they are using the calculator to determine compliance with a Construction Stormwater permit. If the user answers "YES", the Stormwater disconnection (Impervious disconnection) BMP will not be available. The Stormwater disconnection (Impervious disconnection) BMP does not meet the permit requirement that "The Permittee(s) must design infiltration or filtration systems that provide a water quality volume (calculated as an instantaneous volume) of one (1) inch of runoff (or one (1) inch minus the volume of stormwater treated by another system on the site) from the new impervious surfaces created by the project." The Results tab indicates whether the calculations are for compliance with a Construction Stormwater permit. If the user selects "NO" to the question about whether the calculator is being used for permit compliance, the Stormwater disconnection (Impervious disconnection) BMP will be available. For a description of this BMP, see the next bullet.
• A Stormwater disconnection (Impervious disconnection) BMP was created. Stormwater disconnection/Impervious surface disconnection spreads runoff generated from parking lots, driveways, rooftops, sidewalks and other impervious surfaces onto adjacent pervious areas where it can be infiltrated. All pollutants in the infiltrated water are credited as being reduced. Pollutants in the stormwater that bypasses the best management practice (BMP) receive 68 percent removal for total suspended solids (TSS) and 0 percent reduction for both dissolved and particulate phosphorus. Guidance, methodology, and an example are provided on this page. A summary of the calculation methodology is found at this link. This BMP cannot be used for compliance with the Construction Stormwater permit.
• The Harvest and re-use/Cistern BMP was modified as follows.
  • The calculation for water use utilizes a method for determining variable irrigation demand based on potential evapotranspiration (PET) from the irrigated area, adjusted for vegetation type. Regional values for PET were developed by using data collected from the University of Wisconsin Extension. Zip codes were associated with the appropriate PET. The calculator adjusts the PET for vegetation type by asking for a plant factor (e.g. turf, vegetables, etc.) and using a corresponding crop coefficient.
  • The user can enter a weekly irrigation rate as in Version 2, but if the user does not select a weekly rate, the irrigation amount will be calculated using irrigation demand based on PET. If the user selects a weekly rate, the daily maximum applied amount will be the smaller of the irrigation demand or weekly rate (calculated as a daily average). In making these calculations, it is ensured that water can only be applied if available in storage and that daily irrigation considers precipitation that has fallen on that day. For A soils, user-input rates of up to 2 inches per week are allowed. For D soils, a warning is flashed reminding the user that irrigation rates or timing must be considered on these slowly infiltrating soils.
  • Users can input a weekly volume retained on-site for non-irrigation uses.
  • March irrigation is no longer allowed.
  • Guidance, recommendations, and examples can be found on this page.
• Infiltration is allowed beneath a raised underdrain and into underlying soil at a rate of 0.06 in/hr over the drawdown time (either 24 or 48 hours). This is in addition to the storage credit below the underdrain, which was provided in Version 2. Version 2 allowed infiltration beneath an underdrain located at the bottom of a BMP but not for a raised underdrain. It was thus possible to receive greater volume credit for a BMP with an underdrain at the bottom compared to the same BMP with a raised underdrain, which is incorrect. BMPs to which this applies include
  • bioretention basin (with underdrain)
  • tree trench system/box (with underdrain)
  • swale main channel (with underdrain)
  • permeable pavement
• For permeable pavement with an underdrain, the calculation for volume credit now considers whether the subsoil was compacted during construction. The credit is calculated as follows.
  • If the subsoil is not compacted, the volume equals the bottom surface area times an infiltration rate of 0.06 inches per hour over the drawdown time.
  • If the subsoil is compacted, the volume equals the bottom surface area times an infiltration rate of 0.03 inches per hour over the drawdown time.
• For a swale main channel, if the user has a bioretention base, the user is now asked ask if the entire swale is underlain by the bioretention base. If the answer is “YES”, the volume credit given by the swale area (length times width) times the bioretention media depth times the porosity of the media. If the user answers "NO" to the question about the extent of the bioretention base, the user is asked to input the average cross-sectional area of the bioretention base beneath the swale. The volume credit is then given by the bioretention area times the bioretention media depth times the porosity of the media.
• A new BMP called Underground infiltration was created. A description of the BMP, calculator inputs and methodology, and an example, are found here. To use this BMP, the user must know the storage volume in the underground pipes and in the media surrounding the pipes. The calculator does not make this calculation because of the wide variability in the type of pipes that are used for underground infiltration. An Excel spreadsheet was developed to assist users in making this calculation. This spreadsheet, as well as a description of the calculations, is found here. In addition to storage in pipes and in the media adjacent to the pipes, the user can specify storage in media beneath the pipes. The 48 hour drawdown time must be met from both the pipes and through the underlying media.
• The BMP previously named Infiltration basin/Underground Infiltration was renamed Infiltration basin/infiltration trench (aboveground). No other changes were made to the aboveground infiltration BMP.
• An iron-enhanced option was added for sand filters. The user is asked if they have incorporated an amendment to attenuate phosphorus. If they answer "YES", a credit 40% of the dissolved phosphorus fraction is applied.
• For a Swale main channel, the media depth for a bioretention base was limited to 3 feet.
• For bioretention and tree BMPs, the calculation for particulate phosphorus credit was changed from 45% to 80% when Soil Mix C or D is used or the soil P content is less than 30 mg/kg.
• For a swale main channel a calculation was added to ensure that the cumulative depth of water behind a check dam and in a bioretention base can infiltrate within 48 (or 24) hours.
• Compatibility of the MIDS calculator with Excel 2013 was tested.
• Several minor changes were made.
  • For a Bioretention basin (with underdrain), if the user answers “YES” to a raised underdrain, the question about a liner on the bottom defaults to “NO”.
  • For permeable pavement, in the schematic, Total media depth [D_M] and Media surface area [A_M] were added. For the user input Surface area at underdrain [A_U], the following text was added: "(if no underdrain is used, enter Media surface area [A_M])". For the user input Depth below underdrain (D_U), the following was added: "(if no underdrain is used, enter Total media depth (D_M)".
  • For the Bioretention basin (w/o underdrain), in the schematic, the term Bottom surface area (A_M) was changed to Media surface area (A_M).
  • For the Infiltration basin/Underground Infiltration, in the schematic, the term Bottom surface area (A_M) was changed to Media surface area (A_M).
  • The calculator returned an error when a side slope with no impervious surface is routed to a swale main channel. This error is resolved.