Abstract
A literature review was conducted of previous research performed within the State of Florida which quantifies pollutant removal efficiencies associated with various stormwater management systems. Comparative removal efficiencies were obtained and summarized for dry retention, wet retention, off-line retention/detention systems, wet detention, wet detention with filtration, dry detention with filtration, and dry detention. Estimated pollutant removal efficiencies were generally available for total nitrogen, orthophosphorus, total phosphorus, TSS, BOD, copper, lead and zinc.
Of the stormwater management systems evaluated, only dry retention systems are capable of meeting the State Water
Policy Goal of 80% reduction for pollutant inputs. Off-line retention/detention facilities are capable of meeting the 80%
reduction goal for total phosphorus, TSS, BOD and zinc, but provide only a 60-75% annual pollutant reduction for
total nitrogen, copper and lead. Wet retention systems can meet the 80% reduction goal for TSS only, with removal
efficiencies from 40-50% for total nitrogen, total phosphorus and BOD. Good pollutant removal efficiencies are achieved
in wet detention systems for orthophosphorus, total phosphorus, TSS, BOD and heavy metals, although removal
efficiencies are less than 80%. Dry detention with filtration systems were found to exhibit a high degree of variability in
estimated removal efficiencies. The actual removal efficiencies achieved by these systems is a function of the relationship
between the underdrain system and the seasonal high groundwater table. Overall, the most effective stormwater
management systems in terms of retaining stormwater pollutants appear to be dry retention, off-line retention/detention
ponds, wet retention, and wet detention systems. The use of these systems should be emphasized to maximize the
pollutant removal effectiveness of stormwater management programs.
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