This page provides summaries and justification for changes in BMP pollutant removal credits and BMP pollutant removal efficiencies.

July, 2017 change in TSS credit for bioretention

image of pollutant removal table
Summary of data on pollutant removal efficiencies for various sources.

The MPCA conducted a review of pollutant removal credits for total suspended solids (TSS) and phosphorus. The objective was to evaluate existing credits in the Minnesota Stormwater Manual and the Minimal Impact Design Standards calculator and determine if the credits needed adjusting. The BMPs examined were biofiltration (bioretention with underdrain), constructed stormwater wetland, sand filter, permeable pavement (with underdrain), and swale.

We reviewed the following data sources.

The table to the right summarizes the results. To access the date table used to generate the summary information, File:Pollutant removal numbers.xlsx

The data indicate the Minnesota Stormwater Manual reasonably agrees with values from the other sources with the exception of TSS in biofiltration BMPs. The Construction Stormwater General Permit states that filtration systems must be designed to remove at least 80 of TSS. Consequently, the removal percentage for biofiltration practices must be at least 80 percent. We thus lowered the TSS credit for biofiltration to 80 percent. Biofiltration practices include tree trenches and tree boxes.