Common problems and how to troubleshoot them for bioretention and infiltration practices Common problems and how to troubleshoot them for bioretention and infiltration practices

Common problems and how to troubleshoot them for bioretention and infiltration practices
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Symptom	Possible causes	Solution
Standing water within the infiltration area for more than 48 hours	The surface of the ponding area may become clogged with fine sediment over time. This might be because the pretreatment is no longer working, or there are excessive sediment loads due to erosion or high sediment loads from the contributing area.	Clean the pretreatment area with more frequency. Scrape, clean or vacuum the infiltration area. A vacuum truck may be needed for sediment removal in the pretreatment are or BMP proper. All sediments may be subjected to the MPCA’s guidance for reuse and disposal Address any erosion through more plantings. Core aeration or cultivating of non-vegetated areas may be required to ensure adequate infiltration.
Rainwater does not appear to flow to the infiltration area	Leaves, sediment, trash, or plant debris may be blocking the flow path.	Remove these materials on a regular basis
Vegetation is not able to establish	Plant selection is inappropriate for the site	Consult with a landscaper or horticulturist. Check that plants are suited to the local conditions. Make sure BMP is protected from snow storage or salt application.
Erosion or scouring around the inlet	Flow is obstructed by debris or improper grading	Correct for drainage and flow path issues to make sure flows are evenly distributed. Make sure the flow paths are unobstructed.