Install bioswales (non-wildlife attracting) to encourage groundwater infiltration of stormwater runoff.
Bioswales (also referred to as vegetated swales) are vegetated, mulched, or xeriscaped channels that provide treatment and retention as they move stormwater from one place to another. Bioswales slow, infiltrate, and filter stormwater flows. As linear features, bioswales are particularly suitable along streets and parking lots. Bioswale designs must not provide habitat for hazardous wildlife.
Practice Information
| Capital Cost: | Moderately Expensive (>$100,000 – $500,000 US) |
| O&M Cost: | Low ($5,000 – $50,000 US) |
| Payback Period: | Short (2 – 5 years) |
| Staffing Requirements: | Negligible (<10 hours per month) |
| Reportability of Metrics: | Quantitative metric with baseline for comparison practices and is already tracked |
| Maturity of Practice: | Proven at multiple airports |
| Energy Reduction: | No effect on energy consumption |
| Environmental Benefits: | Low environmental benefit |
| Social Benefits: | Low social benefit |
Airport Characteristics
Categories
Case Studies
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Approximately 33 bioswales have been installed at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). The bioswales receive stormwater directly from the drainage areas associated with streets and parking lots and act like typical LID BMPs. These bioswales have been applied at two locations at SEA, including: 1. At the cell phone lot; and 2. Along the expressway. The bioswale located adjacent to the cell phone lot was recently installed (approximately October 2014) and has not attained full vegetative growth. The “ecology embankment” bioswale installed in 2008-2009 adjacent to the expressway, was designed to follow the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) “ecology embankment system”. It is an engineered filter strip containing four primary elements: the gravel (un- vegetated) strip, the vegetated filter strip, an “ecology-mix” bed, and the gravel-lined underdrain. The bioswale has shown positive results in pollutant removal at WSDOT roadway projects in western Washington.
Related Links
Urban Street Design Guide: Bioswales. National Association of City Transportation Officials.
Minnesota Stormwater Manual. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
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