• Home
• Green Infrastructure
• Bioretention Systems

Bioretention Systems

Bioretention Systems are the most common Green Infrastructure designs in use today. These recessed landscape beds serve as natural areas for absorbing rain. The purpose of a Bioretention System is to slow the flow and filter pollutants from runoff before it reaches our groundwater, seeps into the municipal sewer system or discharges into our waterways. Sometimes referred to as Bioswales, Vegetative Swales or Rain Gardens, these landscape features are specifically designed to enhance the appearance of an area while acting as an integral element of stormwater management. Bioretention Systems can be utilized in small residential applications as well as on large commercial projects.

How it Works:

• Surface runoff is directed into shallow, landscaped depressions. These depressions are designed to incorporate many of the pollutant removal mechanisms that operate in forested ecosystems.
• During storms, runoff puddles above the mulch and soil in the system. Runoff from larger storms is generally diverted past the facility to the storm drain system.
• The remaining runoff filters through the mulch and prepared soil mix.
• The runoff can be collected in a perforated underdrain and returned to the storm drain system.

Features:

• Wide variety of available plants for an attractive and functional landscape feature.
• Mulch layer catches sediment, binds heavy metals, and digests organic pollutants.
• 3 - 4 feet of Hydro Clear Bioretention Soil® anchors plant roots,provides water and nutrients and further remediates contaminated stormwater.
• KB reclaimed coarse sand would be the optimum choice for surface flow between the soil medium and gravel layer.
• 6-8” gravel layer (#57 size) and underdrain transports clean stormwater to existing infrastructure.

Applications:

Rain Gardens & Vegetative Swales

Rain Gardens and Vegetative Swales are bioretention areas designed with the use of perennial native plants that don’t mind a lot of moisture. These gardens or swales allow water to percolate through into the ground while also filtering out pollutants and contamination. They also help alleviate problems with flooding, enhance the beauty of yards and communities and provide habitat and food for local wildlife.

Infiltration Trench

An Infiltration Trench is a narrow, shallow form of bioretention where instead of planting vegetation, the area is backfilled with stone to form a subsurface reservoir where stormwater can be held while it is infiltrated into the soil. Like other Bioretention Systems, infiltration trenches remove fine sediments and pollutants from runoff.

How to Buy:

Bioretention Systems are sold on a project-by-project basis. 

Notable Projects:

• West Side Market - 2016
• Madison Park Frontage - 2015
• Lakewood Parks - 2015 (Solstice Steps)
• Slavic Village - 2014
• Dougway Interceptor
• MLK Fairhill (2016)
• Regional Urban Agriculture