Performance of low-impact development best management practices: a critical review

Abstract

Low-impact development (LID), a land planning and engineering design approach for managing urban stormwater runoff, has been widely adopted across the globe. LID best management practices (BMPs) are man-made features that rely on natural processes to manage stormwater water quantity and quality. In this article, recent literature (published after the year 2008) related to nine BMPs was reviewed to highlight the ranges in treatment efficiencies for 21 of the most frequently investigated runoff parameters. The primary function, pros and cons, and factors affecting performance of each BMP were discussed. A frequency analysis of the reviewed parameters showed that total suspended solids, total phosphorous, total nitrogen, runoff reduction, and zinc concentrations were the most frequently investigated stormwater runoff parameters. Five recurring themes were observed with regards to knowledge gaps and conflicting objectives for research related to LID BMPs that include: (i) lack of consensus on which parameters to measure for effective LID adoption, (ii) BMP performance is highly variable, (iii) many BMPs are known exporters of nutrient pollutants, (iv) lack of cold weather performance-specific studies for individual BMPs, and (v) lack of human pathogen-related stormwater quality studies for individual BMPs. Suggestions for future research are discussed to address these knowledge gaps.

Mathematical modeling of the infiltration in a permeable pavement on the field scale

“…Population growth and waterproofing of surfaces decrease the natural recharge of groundwater and the quality of surface water. According to Hager et al (2019), traditional urban rainwater infrastructure is becoming increasingly insufficient due to the rapid urbanization process. In addition, the increase in runoff volume makes it urgent to apply Best Management Practices (BMPs) that favor the natural phenomena of infiltration and storage of urban rainwater (Li et al, 2019).…”

Clogging process by suspended solids during groundwater artificial recharge: Evidence from lab simulations and numerical modelling

“…Previous studies have even indicated that most GAR facilities encounter serious clogging problems within a very short operation period (Du, Wang, & Ye, ; Rinck‐Pfeiffer, Ragusa, Sztajnbok, & Vandevelde, ). Although the well‐known causes of clogging are physical, biological, and chemical mechanisms that are independent or interactive, the solids suspended in recharge water remain the most important determinant in numerous studies, specifically for stormwater harvest cases (Chrysikopoulos, Masciopinto, La Mantia, & Manariotis, ; Hewage, Sadiq, Hu, & Hager, ; Rinck‐Pfeiffer et al, ; Wang, Du, Yang, & Ye, ). Therefore, essential research to understand the suspended particle transport and fate should be prominent topics for GAR management.…”

Multicriteria GIS-Based Approach in Priority Areas Analysis for Sustainable Urban Drainage Practices: A Case Study of Pato Branco, Brazil

“…Regarding green roofs, the criterion of the existence of buildings with flat slab coverage was considered. Due to flat slabs occurrences being higher in buildings with more than four floors, green roofs provide an alternative to mitigate floods in areas with a higher rate of vertical urbanization, as well as to contribute to the reduction of heat islands [67]. Thus, there is a predominance of single-story buildings or with less than four floors in the area, which would require major adaptations to receive a green roof.…”