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Bioretention practices and other stormwater infiltration practices like rain gardens and infiltration trenches are vegetated landscape practices that capture, filter, and infiltrate stormwater runoff. In addition, these practices can provide ecosystem services such as nutrient cycling and storage, carbon sequestration, reduction in heat island effect, climate adaptation, and habitat for bees, butterflies, and other insects and small animals that pollinate. Bioretention and other infiltration practices may be subject to higher public visibility, greater trash loads, pedestrian traffic, vandalism, and vehicular loads, particularly in urban areas. | Bioretention practices and other stormwater infiltration practices like rain gardens and infiltration trenches are vegetated landscape practices that capture, filter, and infiltrate stormwater runoff. In addition, these practices can provide ecosystem services such as nutrient cycling and storage, carbon sequestration, reduction in heat island effect, climate adaptation, and habitat for bees, butterflies, and other insects and small animals that pollinate. Bioretention and other infiltration practices may be subject to higher public visibility, greater trash loads, pedestrian traffic, vandalism, and vehicular loads, particularly in urban areas. | ||
− | These practices require dedicated and regular maintenance to ensure proper and long-lasting operation and ecosystem benefits. The most frequently cited O&M concerns for infiltration practices include: | + | These practices require dedicated and regular maintenance to ensure proper and long-lasting operation and ecosystem benefits. Estimated bioretention lifespans range from 10 to 40 years (Drescher, 2012). The most frequently cited O&M concerns for infiltration practices include: |
*Permanent standing water or flooding due to clogging caused by organic matter, fine silts, hydrocarbons, and algal matter. Clogging can occur at the surface, or in the inlet, outlet, or underdrain pipes. | *Permanent standing water or flooding due to clogging caused by organic matter, fine silts, hydrocarbons, and algal matter. Clogging can occur at the surface, or in the inlet, outlet, or underdrain pipes. | ||
*Runoff bypasses the practice due to incorrect grading and slopes, or because the inlet is blocked. | *Runoff bypasses the practice due to incorrect grading and slopes, or because the inlet is blocked. | ||
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Designers should design bioretention and infiltration practices in ways that prevent or minimize O&M issues. Examples include: | Designers should design bioretention and infiltration practices in ways that prevent or minimize O&M issues. Examples include: | ||
*Limiting the contributing drainage area and sizing the practice in accordance to its contributing drainage area to prevent flooding issues. | *Limiting the contributing drainage area and sizing the practice in accordance to its contributing drainage area to prevent flooding issues. | ||
− | *Providing | + | *Providing pretreatment and trash racks to prevent clogging or trash accumulation. |
− | *Providing a vegetation design plan, emphasizing native plantings (see Plants for Stormwater Design) to enhance pollinator and wildlife habitat, improve infiltration and evapotranspiration, reduce urban heat island effect, provide optimized carbon sequestration, and provide climate adaptation. | + | *Providing a vegetation design plan, emphasizing: |
+ | **native plantings (see Plants for Stormwater Design) to enhance pollinator and wildlife habitat, improve infiltration and evapotranspiration, reduce urban heat island effect, provide optimized carbon sequestration, and provide climate adaptation. Native plantings typically require less maintenance and replacement than non-native plantings because they are adapted to the local climate. | ||
+ | **site-specific plantings that take into account sun exposure, shade, proximity to traffic corners (visibility issues), interior vs exterior plantings, salt-tolerant plants, etc. The selection of plantings suitable to their immediate surroundings will minimize long-term care and replacement frequency. | ||
*Specifying the optimized soil media composition and depth to effectively trap or sequester nutrients (phosphorus in particular), and that can also support the desired vegetation. | *Specifying the optimized soil media composition and depth to effectively trap or sequester nutrients (phosphorus in particular), and that can also support the desired vegetation. | ||
*Providing educational signage to increase public awareness. | *Providing educational signage to increase public awareness. | ||
*Installing measures like low fencing to prevent damage from pedestrian foot traffic . | *Installing measures like low fencing to prevent damage from pedestrian foot traffic . | ||
+ | |||
+ | Designers should consult and include any local requirements regarding green infrastructure. O&M considerations often depend on whether the practice is located on public land, private land, or in the public right of way. For example, plantings in the public right of way that conflict with any traffic safety considerations could require increased O&M, such as pruning or complete removal. | ||
Designers should also recognize the need to perform frequent landscaping maintenance to remove trash, check for clogging, and maintain vigorous and healthy vegetation. Designers can incorporate design solutions to facilitate maintenance activities. Examples include: | Designers should also recognize the need to perform frequent landscaping maintenance to remove trash, check for clogging, and maintain vigorous and healthy vegetation. Designers can incorporate design solutions to facilitate maintenance activities. Examples include: | ||
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##Verify that the infiltration practice was built in accordance with the approved design and standards and specifications, including the pre-treatment devices as well as the main infiltration practice. | ##Verify that the infiltration practice was built in accordance with the approved design and standards and specifications, including the pre-treatment devices as well as the main infiltration practice. | ||
##Verify that the contributing drainage area is fully stabilized with vegetation prior to removing any barriers, diversions, or erosion and sediment control measures. | ##Verify that the contributing drainage area is fully stabilized with vegetation prior to removing any barriers, diversions, or erosion and sediment control measures. | ||
− | ##Verify that the practice actually captures and infiltrates runoff. Conduct a full inundation test to inspect the underdrain and outflow function. | + | ##Verify that the practice actually captures and infiltrates runoff. Conduct a full inundation test to inspect the underdrain and outflow function. Conduct an infiltration test to verify post-construction infiltration rates. |
##Verify that the practice reduces nutrient loads. Collect inflow and outflow storm water samples and have them analyzed for nutrient concentrations. | ##Verify that the practice reduces nutrient loads. Collect inflow and outflow storm water samples and have them analyzed for nutrient concentrations. | ||
##Use a detailed inspection checklist that includes sign-offs by qualified individuals at the completion of construction, to ensure that the contractor’s interpretation of the plan is acceptable to the professional designer. Example construction phase inspection checklists are provided further down below. | ##Use a detailed inspection checklist that includes sign-offs by qualified individuals at the completion of construction, to ensure that the contractor’s interpretation of the plan is acceptable to the professional designer. Example construction phase inspection checklists are provided further down below. | ||
+ | ##Review and discuss the plant warranty/establishment period with the plant provider to understand the conditions under which failing plants will be replaced. | ||
+ | ##Determine if stormwater should be kept offline from the practice until the seedlings are established. | ||
+ | ##The design/construction team should provide the O&M team with the following information to be included in the O&M plan: | ||
+ | ###The plant warranty . | ||
+ | ###The “as-built” plans of the practice | ||
+ | ###A list of conditions that might cause failure of the practice if not properly maintained. | ||
+ | |||
==Post-Construction Phase O&M== | ==Post-Construction Phase O&M== | ||
Effective short and long-term operation of bioretention and infiltration practices requires dedicated and routine maintenance. Proper maintenance will not only increase the expected lifespan of the facility but will improve ecological function, aesthetics, and property value. Important post-construction considerations are provided below. | Effective short and long-term operation of bioretention and infiltration practices requires dedicated and routine maintenance. Proper maintenance will not only increase the expected lifespan of the facility but will improve ecological function, aesthetics, and property value. Important post-construction considerations are provided below. | ||
− | *A site-specific Operations and Maintenance Plan should be prepared by the designer prior to putting the stormwater practice into operation. This plan should provide any operating procedures related to the practices. The plan should also provide clear maintenance expectations, activities, and schedules. The O&M plan should also include an example O&M inspection checklist and an example maintenance report. Example O&M plans and inspection checklists are provided further down below. | + | *A site-specific Operations and Maintenance Plan should be prepared by the designer prior to putting the stormwater practice into operation. This plan should provide any operating procedures related to the practices. The plan should also provide clear maintenance expectations, activities, and schedules. Include photos if possible. Be clear about who is responsible for the maintenance and the type of expertise that will be needed for distinct O&M activities. The O&M plan should include an anticipated budget for O&M activities. The O&M plan should also include an example O&M inspection checklist and an example maintenance report. Example O&M plans and inspection checklists are provided further down below. |
*A legally binding and enforceable maintenance agreement should be executed between the practice owner and the local review authority. Example maintenance agreements are provided further down below. | *A legally binding and enforceable maintenance agreement should be executed between the practice owner and the local review authority. Example maintenance agreements are provided further down below. | ||
+ | *Inspection and maintenance activities are distinct and can be done as separate activities or together. Inspection will typically assess the practice for any O&M issues, whereas maintenance will address the O&M issues identified by the inspection. A dedicated inspection effort on a large number of BMPs can help prioritize maintenance activities. | ||
*Maintenance activities should be careful not to cause compaction or damage to the vegetation. No vehicles or stockpiling should be allowed within the footprint of the practice. Foot traffic should be kept to a minimum. | *Maintenance activities should be careful not to cause compaction or damage to the vegetation. No vehicles or stockpiling should be allowed within the footprint of the practice. Foot traffic should be kept to a minimum. | ||
*Maintenance activities should apply to all parts of the bioretention or infiltration practices, including the pre-treatment devices, the main bioretention/infiltration area, the vegetation, the media, and any conveyance or discharge pipes. | *Maintenance activities should apply to all parts of the bioretention or infiltration practices, including the pre-treatment devices, the main bioretention/infiltration area, the vegetation, the media, and any conveyance or discharge pipes. | ||
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==Maintenance Costs== | ==Maintenance Costs== | ||
− | Maintenance costs will vary | + | Maintenance costs will vary on a number of factors, including but not limited to: |
+ | *Size of the practice and its contributing drainage area | ||
+ | *Type of plantings used | ||
+ | *Site visit frequency | ||
+ | *Level of maintenance needed | ||
+ | *Local weather conditions | ||
+ | *Staffing needs (number of staff, external vs. internal staff, etc) | ||
+ | *Travel time between sites | ||
+ | *Efficiencies of scale (single GI vs. a cluster of GI) | ||
+ | *Equipment needed | ||
+ | |||
+ | Preventative maintenance is key to minimizing major costs associated with repairs. A general rule of thumb to estimate maintenance costs is 3%-6% of the installation costs, but can run higher. Maintenance may be higher the first few years, while plants are being established. | ||
+ | Maintenance costs should account for the number of hours of labor, the cost for different types of labor expertise required, and any equipment needed to successfully complete the maintenance activities. | ||
+ | |||
+ | A study published in 2017 by ASCE shows the median annual maintenance cost of bioretention devices was estimated at $0.687/sq ft with lower and higher costs of $0.13/sq ft and $2.30/sq ft, respectively. The survey also provides average annual reported maintenance costs, which range from $250 to $3880 with a median of $850 (Clary, 2017). | ||
==Useful Resources== | ==Useful Resources== | ||
− | + | More detailed information regarding specific maintenance activities [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZtzA923zvt_unapGb6U8ggQLTH4U5fH9Q1ejStyao6Y/edit?usp=sharing are provided here]. Topics discussed include: | |
− | + | *Erosion protection and sediment monitoring, removal, and disposal – protecting your investment | |
+ | *Seeding, planting, and landscaping maintenance – keeping it looking good | ||
+ | *Snow Storage | ||
+ | *Sustainable service life for infiltration and bioretention BMPs | ||
+ | *Maintenance agreements | ||
+ | *Additional References | ||
==Case Studies== | ==Case Studies== | ||
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**[https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php?title=Example_Maintenance_Agreement_2 Example Maintenance Agreement 2] | **[https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php?title=Example_Maintenance_Agreement_2 Example Maintenance Agreement 2] | ||
**[https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php?title=Example_Maintenance_Agreement_3 Example Maintenance Agreement 3] | **[https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php?title=Example_Maintenance_Agreement_3 Example Maintenance Agreement 3] | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==References== | ||
+ | *Drescher, S.R., Karen Cappiella, Greg Hoffman, and Bryan Siepp. 2012. Trees in Bioretention. Center for Watershed Protection, Inc., Ellicott City, MD. https://owl.cwp.org/mdocs-posts/trees-in-bioretention/ | ||
+ | *Clary, J., Piza, H. 2017. Cost of Maintaining Green Infrastructure. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Reston, VA. https://owl.cwp.org/mdocs-posts/cost-of-maintaining-green-infrastructure/ | ||
+ | |||
<noinclude> | <noinclude> |
This page provides guidance for operation and maintenance (O&M) of bioretention and other stormwater infiltration practices. This includes biofiltration, bioinfiltration, infiltration trenches, infiltration basins, including above- and below-ground infiltration practices.
Bioretention practices and other stormwater infiltration practices like rain gardens and infiltration trenches are vegetated landscape practices that capture, filter, and infiltrate stormwater runoff. In addition, these practices can provide ecosystem services such as nutrient cycling and storage, carbon sequestration, reduction in heat island effect, climate adaptation, and habitat for bees, butterflies, and other insects and small animals that pollinate. Bioretention and other infiltration practices may be subject to higher public visibility, greater trash loads, pedestrian traffic, vandalism, and vehicular loads, particularly in urban areas.
These practices require dedicated and regular maintenance to ensure proper and long-lasting operation and ecosystem benefits. Estimated bioretention lifespans range from 10 to 40 years (Drescher, 2012). The most frequently cited O&M concerns for infiltration practices include:
The sections below describe best practices to prevent or minimize these common problems.
Designers should design bioretention and infiltration practices in ways that prevent or minimize O&M issues. Examples include:
Designers should consult and include any local requirements regarding green infrastructure. O&M considerations often depend on whether the practice is located on public land, private land, or in the public right of way. For example, plantings in the public right of way that conflict with any traffic safety considerations could require increased O&M, such as pruning or complete removal.
Designers should also recognize the need to perform frequent landscaping maintenance to remove trash, check for clogging, and maintain vigorous and healthy vegetation. Designers can incorporate design solutions to facilitate maintenance activities. Examples include:
The designer should also provide a site-specific O&M plan that includes the following:
Example O&M plans are provided further down.
For more design information and criteria for individual infiltration practices, see the “design criteria for bioretention” or “design criteria for infiltration practices” pages.
Construction Phase O&M Considerations Proper construction methods and sequencing play a significant role in reducing O&M problems. Some key items during the construction phase include:
Effective short and long-term operation of bioretention and infiltration practices requires dedicated and routine maintenance. Proper maintenance will not only increase the expected lifespan of the facility but will improve ecological function, aesthetics, and property value. Important post-construction considerations are provided below.
Overview and schedule of general maintenance activities for bioretention and infiltration practices
Common problems and how to troubleshoot them for bioretention and infiltration practices
Maintenance costs will vary on a number of factors, including but not limited to:
Preventative maintenance is key to minimizing major costs associated with repairs. A general rule of thumb to estimate maintenance costs is 3%-6% of the installation costs, but can run higher. Maintenance may be higher the first few years, while plants are being established. Maintenance costs should account for the number of hours of labor, the cost for different types of labor expertise required, and any equipment needed to successfully complete the maintenance activities.
A study published in 2017 by ASCE shows the median annual maintenance cost of bioretention devices was estimated at $0.687/sq ft with lower and higher costs of $0.13/sq ft and $2.30/sq ft, respectively. The survey also provides average annual reported maintenance costs, which range from $250 to $3880 with a median of $850 (Clary, 2017).
More detailed information regarding specific maintenance activities are provided here. Topics discussed include:
MPCA has compiled publicly available O&M resources related to green infrastructure. This non-exhaustive catalog is intended as a resource to practitioners.
Supplemental guidance