Stormwater Quality Characteristics in Detention Basins

Abstract
The use of stormwater detention basins for the dual purpose of flood control and mitigation of pollutant runoff loads has been promoted. However, only limited data and methods for analysis and prediction of pollutant removal in detention basins exist. This paper presents the results of a stormwater quality sampling program conducted to describe the particle size distribution and the time variable influent and effluent concentrations of chemical oxygen demand, total phosphorus, total kjeldahl nitrogen, and solids during various storm events. Concentrations in three separate particle size ranges for each of the four parameters was determined. The basin is shown to be generally effective in reducing solids, chemical oxygen demand (COD), and total phosphorus. Total kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) concentrations and loadings were generally increased. The effectiveness of the detention basin in reducing pollutant loads appears to be related to two factors, namely, equalization and sedimentation. Dry weather water quali...

This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit: