Sustainable & Green BMPs for Clean Water

Florida Forebay Wetland Cleans Stormwater and Provides Landscape

2011-01-30T08:54:00.000-08:00

Our Stormscrubber wetland has passed its eighteen month install date anniversary and still providing successful stormwater treatment, storage and landscape credit.

We installed the StormScrubber in May 2009 on the site of an unscale cafe in the Springfield Historic restoration district in Jacksonville, Florida.

The prior to the install, the site had serious flooding and stormwater problems.

The StormScrubber Wetland solved the stormater runoff issue and provided landscape beauty and credit all in one package.

The site presented several significant issues. There was the potential for system clogging because of the sandy and silty nature of the soils. A permeable paver system using historic bricks was installed to direct the stormwater into the wetland system.

The wetland was planted with Florida native species that could tolerate both innundation and drought.

The wetland system incorporates a special self pruning system to keep roots from filling up the infiltration-void storage chamber.

To date the StormScrubber has preformed as expected, cleaning runoff, storing the rainwater underground and using the collected stormwater to irrigate teh landscape feature plant species.

The new paradigm in site design is the combination of landscape units with rainwater storage. Call us today for more information on how Green and Sustainable BMPs can help maximize your project's design efficiency.

StormScrubber 2009

StormScrubber 2010

Modular RainWater Harvesting Systems - Cost-Effective BMP

2010-11-15T07:24:00.000-08:00

EcoRain Underground Rainwater Harvesting System

Blog Post on Stormwater Harvesting Reprinted from the Green Roof Blog

We've talked about water crises and irrigation of green roofs many times before. Designing a green roof irrigation system to run off of rainwater instead of potable water is easy.

One of the biggest disadvantages of large rainwater tanks before has been the freight expense of bringing a large tank from the manufacturer to the site.

Many times the cost of freight exceeded the cost of the tank - and there are not many tank manufacturers so the tanks may have had to been hauled across the country. Long freight hauls create large carbon footprints.

However, several new structural Rainwater Harvesting Systems are now available on the market that are collapsable and can easily be assembled on-site. For a video of a very large underground rainwater collection system in Dallas, Texas click here (opens in a new window).

Rainwater Harvesting Design

One of the more green subdivisions in Gainesville, Florida, the Madera Subdivision, utilizes underground collection and storage of stormwater in several of their homes.

Collection of rainwater and subsequent irrigation of green roofs can be a valid method for allowing larger buildings on Urban Core lots previously designed with much smaller impervious allotment. This applies also to historic residential areas where renovations are occurring.

Importantly, the Green Roof design needs to anticipate periods of natural drought where stored rainwater may be depleted.

The use of potable water should be only used in certain instances, and the green roof plant selection should reflect species that can utilize the stored rainwater, however are also drought tolerant.

EcoRain Underground Rainwater Harvesting

Typical Underground Rainwater Storage Systems for Green Roof irrigation are designed and installed with little effort.

First the seasonal high groundwater level should be determined. This can be accomplished with the civil engineer or geotechnical expert. For the homeowner, simply take a shovel, I prefer a set of post hole-diggers, and dig a small hole down until wet soil or water appears.

The Green Roof Underground Stormwater Harvesting System should be primarily installed above the Seasonal High Ground Water Level.

Size your storage system to hold a 24-hour storm event quantity for the surface area of the roof you are collecting from. ARCSA has a great website about sizing and designing systems - click here - opens in a new window.

Modular Rainwater Storage Tank

You can use solar pumps to pump the water back up from the rainwater harvesting cistern to the green roof.

Remember, we a growing population on this globe and conservation of all water resources is important. Ensure your green roof plant designer is using species that are friendly to conservation of water!

Typical Rainwater Harvesting System

As always, feel free to contact us with your questions!

Typha - Cattails, Stormwater Ponds, Roundup, Nutrients In-Nutrients Out

2010-11-12T11:21:00.000-08:00

Killing cattails, Typha latifolia with roundup in a sormwater pond and leaving the plants int he pond to decompose is a sure-fire way of being obvious about not understanding nutrient removal (Nitrogen and Phosphorous) and other pollutants from a stormwater facility.

How often have you seen vast stretches of cattails killed by the action of Roundup's active ingredient - Glyphosate - "GLY-PHO-SATE".

Monsanto has often spoke of the safety of Roundup and I've even seen Roundup representatives drinking the diluted mixture.

Does a wicked job on plants though.

Cattails are a pioneer species and quite persistent in their growth patterns being classified as noxious by many agencies though they are a native species here in Florida.

Cattails are one of the most efficient species at uptaking pollutant nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous. Typha is also an excellent mechanism for removal of heavy metals and other contaminants from stormwater.

So here in Florida -and elsewhere - by the time Typha is killed back by the frost, Roundup or reaches maturity as a plant, large quantities of pollutants have been removed from stormwater and sequestered in the plants biomass.

It is in this part of the equation where we need to break the cycle of Nutrients In Nutrients Out.

Take roundup, kill the cattails - let them fall back into the pond and all the heavy metals, nitrogen, phosphorous, oils and greases and other contaminants are soon released right back into the water.

Roundup use concentrates nutrient and pollutant concentrations in stormwater ponds.

Typha and Algae blooms react the same way to the Nutrients In Nutrients Out equation.

Plants are efficient at removing pollutants and cleaning water.

Yet if the plants are killed and allowed to decay in the pond, then all the pollutants and nutrients are re-released right back into the waterbody.

The Nutrients In Nutrients Out cycle must be broken to finally clean stormwater.

Harvesting Typha and removing the species from stormwater ponds is the best long term answer to nutrient removal.

The cattails can then be composted and, after Toxicity characteristic leaching procedure tests (TCLP) the composted biomass can be used as mulch or nutrient rich fertilizer.

Understanding the Nutrients In Nutrients Out cycle is critical to effective and sustainable control of stormwater pollution.

Copper Sulfate and Glyphosate have their rightful place.

To keep ponds sustainable clean - their must also include a Nutrients Out component.

Your thoughts and comments are always appreciated!

Kevin

Stormwater and Arboriculture - Cypress Landscapes for Stormwater Ponds, Habitat, Traffic and more!

2010-11-10T08:04:00.000-08:00

Stormwater Landscaping with Cypress Trees

Stormwater ponds function better with appropriate landscapes such as the cypress trees depicted in the photo to the left.

Many here in Florida argue that stormwater ponds should be free and clear of vegetation. Some of their arguments include lines of reasoning such as;

Stormwater ponds are polluted and plants attract wildlife that in turn could be harmed by the polluted water
However regardless of plants or no plants, wildlife come to stormwater ponds anyway
Here in Florida woodstorks and sandhill cranes are often seen fishing around stormwater ponds

Importantly, plants around stormwater ponds help clean the stormwater and provide a host of other benefits.

Cypress, Taxodium spp., is especially a good tree to plant around stormwater facilities.

Reasons I choose Cypress as the number one Florida Stormwater species are;

Cypress is a native Florida plant
Cypress has a low leaf litter rate - THIS IS IMPORTANT

other wetland species native to Florida, such as Blackgum, Nyssa spp. contribute enormous amounts of leaf litter to the stormwater pond, rapidly filling up the volume and requiring significant maintenance

Cypress provides important habitat for wildlife including -

Communal habitat, and
Foraging habitat

Cypress can be pruned easily for safety

Refer to the above photo of the stormwater pond adjacent a heavily traveled intersection.
The lower limbs of the Cypress can be pruned high enough to allow drivers to possess a safe range of view and see automobiles approaching in other directions.

Cypress tolerates drought - long periods once established
Cypress tolerates innundation
Cypress grows well in modular wetlands
Cypress contributes towards volume recovery - did you know the Florida water management districts allow for recovery efficiencies from evapotranspiration? See Chapter 40C-42 SJRWMD and others.

All in all - Cypress is the best plant for sustainable stormwater systems in Florida!

Kevin

Florida Underground Stormwater Systems, LEED Compliant, Made in USA and Cost-Effective

2010-11-10T05:58:00.000-08:00

EcoRain Underground stormwater systems are a great way to integrate stormwater systems underground and into your site's parking area and landscape areas.

Storm Drain Filter Made From Groundcloth - Innovations On-Site

2010-11-04T02:45:00.000-07:00

The photo below was taken along a road in Jacksonville, Florida where the contractor had installed a new water supply line.

During construction the existing sidewalk and asphalt road edge were excavated, along with dirt from the water supply line trench.

After the new supply line was installed, the dirt, rock and debris covered the surface.

Normally a contractor would plant rye-grass, clover or some other fast-growing cover crop to prevent erosion and stabilize the ground.

Apparently the surface stabilization did not occur as vegetation was not present. However it may have been unsuccessfully attempted as the area is in the middle of a five week drought and with zero irrigation available the seeds may not have sprouted. Sod was not installed.

The area is important as it lies adjacent the St. Johns River. Any discharge of silt and trash to the storm sewer would be a direct discharge to either a tributary to or the St. John's River itself.

The contractor deserves credit though for an innovative approach to erosion prevention.

Protecting Stormwater Drains from Pollution

Granted the drain appears to be on the verge of becoming overwhelmed with siltation and gravel, but as I looked into the cover, the fabric - the ground cover was a heavier weight allowing for water to run through while preventing trash from entering the sewer system - the fabric was still intact.

There are obvious disadvantages to this system.

However first of all, the fabric is doing what it was intended to do - keep debris and silt out of the stormwater system.

Yet it may be overwhelmed with the volume of silt.

How strong is the fabric and how long will it last?

If the fabric is strong enough to hold up during a heavy rain, will it clog and back up, causing a potential safety hazard with ponding in the road?

Is the fabric a better and safer approach than say an Erosion Eel or other type of barrier?

We will keep photos posted as rain events occur.

Your comments and thoughts are welcome.

Kevin

Floating Wetlands Offer Many Benefits - Efficiency Testing at UF

2010-10-21T03:21:00.000-07:00

Floating wetlands have been discussed here before. They clean stormwater, provide significant wildlife habitat and create beauty.

The photo below was taken Wednesday, October 20th and is of a test platform in Gainesville, Florida where the University of Florida is conducting tests on the system.

The white barrier around the Floating Wetland isolates the water column and allows for analysis of the water immediately adjacent the system and system roots.

For more information on floating wetland systems, contact us today.

Floating Wetland - Testing for Water Quality

Wetland and BioSwale Creation in Floodplain Areas

2010-10-21T03:00:00.000-07:00

Floodplain compensation based on storage volume typically must be the same for pre-development and post development conditions here in Florida. That is unless your site is adjacent a tidal area.

Many times these 'dug holes' are simply dry, ugly holes in the ground.

However, by excavating the floodplain compensation area down a little deeper the end result can produce a beautiful, functioning wetland or BioSwale with immense benefit.

Since floodplain compensation credit is given for volumes created above seasonal high groundwater elevations, over excavation by a couple additional feet ( one meter or so) can produce hydrology necessary for the functioning system.

The BioSwale pictured in the photo is located in central Florida. It is created in a floodplain compensation area and is approximately two years old.

The beauty of this system is its capacity to clean water with plants and the habitat provided for endemic wildlife.

Yesterday we were reviewing success progress of plant establishment on the site and witnesses Sandhill cranes, deer, raccoons, alligators, fish, snipes, kestrels and other species using the created BioSwale. Moreover, many of the aquatic plants were flowering.

Next time you design a project with floodplain compensation, consider over-excavating a little and creating a BioSwale. Feel free to email us with questions. Kevin.

BioSwale - Sustainable Stormwater

Stormwater Strategy - Native Plants for BioSwales

2010-10-19T14:11:00.000-07:00

Native plants suitable for stormwater plantings, bioswales and modular wetlands will be the topic of our next several posts.

Importantly, native species should be the choice for landscaping bioswales nad areas adjacent to and surrounding stormwater facilities.

Native plant species possess the inherent ability to 'Acclimate' to most sub-ecotones on a site. Moreover, native plant species typically require only enough temporary irrigation to allow themselves to become established. This is important since we live in a time where water supply and reserves have reached critical levels.

Purple muhly grass is shown below. Also know by the scientific name, Muhlenbergia capillaris, purple muhly grass benefits a site in many different ways, including;

1. acts as a filter preventing trash from entering the water's edge,
2. uptakes pollutants such as nitrogen, phosphorous and carbon,
3. produces oxygen,
4. provides significant foraging and communal habitat for wildlife, and
5. creates beauty.

Purple muhly grass, native stormwater area-bioswale plant

Purple muhly grass can tolerate periodic inundation, high groundwater tables and also is very resiliant to drought.

Though many consider native plants - 'weeds' - a sharp landscape designer can take native flowering species and accomplish much.

Consider using native species for your next bioswale project, especially Muhlenbergia capillaris - purple muhly grass.

Please feel free to email us with your gren and sustainable bmp questions.

Kevin

Sustainable Gabions for Stormwater - Mining Rock Obsolete

2010-10-10T17:16:00.000-07:00

Gabions have always been popular as an erosion control BMP or as a more eco-friendly and low impact development for stemwalls or retaining walls.

Oyster shell filled gabions can eliminate harmful mining of rock and offer a sustainable alternative to stone filled baskets.

Oyster shells can be purchased along the Gulf Coast, or ordered from your local stone company.

Perfect for LEED Certified projects, be sure to specify oyster shell gabions on your next project.

Oyster Shell Gabions - Sustainable BMPs

Bio-Retention Treatment Train Serves as Low Imapct Development Stormwater System, Cleaning Runoff and Providing Habitat for University of North Florida

2010-10-09T04:22:00.000-07:00

The low impact designed bio-retention stormwater treatment system shown in the below photos successfully cleans stormwater, provides wildlife with habitat and forage, and is an attractive landscape feature.

Stormwater runoff from the University of North Florida parking lot drains into the swale vegetated with native herbaceous groundcovers including Frog Fruit (Phyla or Lippia), Dollarweed (Hydrocotyle) and other species.

The runoff filters into the soils and the surrounding plant roots act biologically to remove nitrogen, phosphorous and other pollutants.

During hard storms, the excess stormwater runoff overflows into a larger, wet-meadow type system. In this system plants and trees such as Cypress, Wax Myrtle, Muhly Grass and Andropogon conduct the same nutrient uptake and evapo-transpiration processes yet on a larger scale.

Ultimately, the bio-retention system replaces open-water, mosquito breeding ponds. The UNF system efficiently accomplishes stormwater cleansing, provides wildlife with communal habitat and foraging stock, and creates a pallet of native beauty.

Hopefully, site designers will utilize the proven and effective bio-retention technology for site development in the future.


Bio-retention Swale for Low Impact Development, UNF

Bio-Retention Meadow or Wet-Prairie Type SWMF, UNF

Stormwater Habitat for Ecosystem Creation - University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA

2010-10-05T05:44:00.000-07:00

Stormwater ponds do not have to be ugly.

In fact, there are some very creative and ecologically successful, healthy and prospering stormwater management facilities doubling as wildlife habitat, natural areas and ecosystem restoration/creation projects.

Take for instance the University of North Florida's master stormwater facility just to the east of Highway 9A and north of J.T. Butler Blvd. in Jacksonville Florida.

This stormwater facility offers wildlife habitat, cleans stormwater and importantly, provides a sense of place for students and the community at large.

Numerous hiking trails, well maintained can be found around the stormwater management facility.

The water is clear, supports a variety of native vegetation, provides a place for students to canoe and the sight-seeing is awesome!


University of North Florida Stormwater Pond's Ecosystem


University of North Florida Stormwater Pond's Ecosystem

The stormwater pond is hardly recognizable as a man-made feature other than the semi-square shape. The facility/ecosystem has developed beautiful littoral shelves and hosts numerous wildlife species.

UNF Stormwater Pond

Alligators, turtles, birds, fish and other wildlife populate the ecosystem.

Kudos to a great project exemplifying how a stormwater management facility can become a positive benefit to the community in many ways!

Horsetail - InLine Wetland - Wetlands that are Modular - Plant for Florida and the Southeast US.

2010-10-03T17:46:00.000-07:00

Horsetail is a great plant for wetlands in a box, wetlands that are modular or in-line and used in urban settings.

Equisetum hyemale is a native to Florida. Shown here are several small clumps growing in an in-line wetland for cleaning stormwater (this wetland is modular - most of the system is in a box underground - but it is specifically designed for Florida's unique hydrocycle).


Horsetail - Plants for Stormwater In-line Wetlands

The University of Florida's website sponsored by IFAS says the following about Horsetail -

"Horsetails are easily recognized ancient plants, the only remaining ones of their kind from millions of years ago. They are fern-like in function but not fern-like in shape. They are consumed by all kind of widllife, including mammals. Two varieties of the Equisetum exist in Florida (Wunderlin, 2003). Horsetails occur throughout the entire U.S. and the majority of Canada (Kartesz, 1999).
Scouring-rush horsetail is a horsetail. Stems erect, 2-5 ft. tall, ridged, dark evergreen, jointed nodes, conspicuous blackish rings around the nodes, hollow between nodes; leaves reduced to very small node-scales; cone-like structure at stem tip is called a "strobilus", to 1 in. long; strobili contain sporangia which produce green reproductive spores, strobili are various shades of brown."

For more information from the UF website click here.

For more information about how in-line wetlands can help clean stormwater - email Kevin.

Stormwater Modeling Software for Green Roof Volume Storage

2010-10-01T04:39:00.000-07:00

Great blog from Piped Up in Europe on the benefits of using green roofs for volume storage.

Check out the post here.

Kevin

Living Walls for Low Impact Development - Vine Structure Thunbergia grandiflora

2010-09-29T17:57:00.000-07:00

Living walls come in a number of different forms, shapes, costs and functions.

Living Walls clean stormwater, sequester and fix carbon while reducing CO2, they pump oxygen back into the atmosphere, provide habitat to pollinators, birds, butterflies and more and create a sense of beauty.

Not only do living walls bring colors with flowers and greenery with a variety of leaves, but they also can provide structure.

Take for instance the Thunbergia vine growing here. A two year old vine, this plant sends shoots up the trellis from it's base.

Florida Living Walls Thunbergia Vine Structure

During North Florida's cold winters Thunbergia dies back.

The next spring the vine reappears even thicker. Thunbergia is not considered invasive and is a great larval food plant.

Pollinators love the flowers.

Living Wall Flowers, Thunbergia grandiflora

The next time you are designing a site - consider a living wall instead of a fence.

Visit the Florida Green Roof Blog and Resource Webpage for more Volumetric Green for the Urban Core.

Pervious Pavement - Basketball Court System

2010-09-21T23:37:00.000-07:00

Pedestrian and recreational facilities contribute stormwater to runoff on sites yet they are sometimes overlooked as areas where green BMPs can be utilized.

The photo here is of an example of a pervious basketball court - great idea. THe site preparation includes leveling of the soil within the basketball court's footprint. Sand was applied to the soil as a leveling agent then the interlocking polypropylene grids installed.

Green BMPs for sustainable site design. Email for more information.

Living Walls Remove NItrogen and Phosphorous, Provide Beauty & O2

2010-09-03T17:16:00.000-07:00

RJ and I built and installed these two living walls for a downtown Jacksonville, Florida restaurant - Indochine.

Based upon Atlantis technology ACF's Green and Sustainability team has developed systems that can remove nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus from stormwater. Integrating plants into available structural Atlantis components and incorporating geosynthetic fabrics, sorptive media, organic carbon sources and other components.

Volumetric Green for the Urban Core!

Cleaning Stormwater, Providing Habitat and Creating a Sense of Place!

Email us by clicking here. We will be glad to help you out on your Sustainable or Green projects!

Road Washout Video - Stormwater

2010-08-20T08:26:00.001-07:00

Ran across this video on youtube the other day - shows the power of stormwater - the BMPs we use must be well designed.....

Road Washout Video

Living Walls Remove NItrogen and Phosphorous

2010-08-19T16:53:00.000-07:00

Living Walls are a great way to; Clean site runoff and site roof runoff, create vertical green habitat for lizards, frogs and other green - height dependent species, and are beautiful. The hydroponic systems can incorporate sorptive media - a variety of medias are available - some attracting N, others P - these systems are built around the Atlantis 52mm cell panel. CallRJ or I today!

Foating Wetlands Remove Nitrogen and Phosphorus from Gainesville, Florida Stormwater Pond

2010-08-19T16:01:00.000-07:00

Pictured below is the Floating Wetland in Tumblin Creek Park, Gainesville, Florida. The system is fashioned around a 53mm recycled PPE platform - and contains Florida Native Aquatic plants.

The root mass below the platform cleans water with a variety of mechanisms, including - expansive root system surface area for microbes to digest nutrients, and for the plants themselves to uptake the nutrients and sequester in upper leaf biomass. The biomass is then harvested annually.

University of Florida scientists are studying the platforms to determine the efficiency of the systems and test results are extremely positive. Call Kevin for more information today!

Cleaning Oil Out of Florida's Waterways

2010-06-22T05:39:00.000-07:00

Photo here is of oil sheen coming into marsh and wetland areas. The worker has deployed what is commonly referred to as Pom Pom Booms. The Pom Pom Booms primarily act as containment buffers. At some point int he future we may be seeing oil up in Florida's fresh water systems, including springs. We will be exploring how floating wetland systems can possibly absorb and clean oil contained water and keep you up to date on the results. We use floating wetlands to clean stormwater - how about for cleaning Oil Spills?

Atlantis Gro-Wall!

2010-06-18T06:24:00.000-07:00

A beautiful way to clean stormwater, create wildlife habitat in the urban core and provide a sense of place for humans, the Atlantis Gro-Wall is the best living wall system available today! Call Kevin or RJ for more information! 904-294-2656

Floating Wetland Cleans Stormwater, Gainesville, Florida

2010-06-14T03:28:00.000-07:00

ACF's Floating wetland - aka - the ScumSucker after three months in Gainesville, FL downtown stormwater pond (Tumblin Creek Park). Cleaning Stormwater, Creating Habitat, Providing Native Beauty!

Launching 3 Floating Wetlands at UF - Floating Wetlands and Clean Water

2010-03-11T08:26:00.000-08:00

Launching 3 ACF Floating Wetlands in Gainesville March 2010

Click the above link for the video!

Floating Wetlands for Cleaning Stormwater

2010-03-05T05:26:00.001-08:00

Great new Blog about Floating Wetlands - check it out here! Kevin...

Seattle's New Streetside Stormwater Designs

2010-03-03T11:07:00.000-08:00

Great article here - click here - on using roadside swales & wetlands for stormwater treatment.

Also be sure to check out the design guidelines found on the second page of the article. Excellent resource!

Importance of Capturing the First Flush of Stormwater - Florida's Stormwater

2010-03-01T02:58:00.000-08:00

Here is a picture of the stormwater ditch running alongside Dean Road in Jacksonville, Florida last week after a short rainfall event - probably less than one half inch total. Notice the obvious oil and grease sheen across the surface of the water. The distance from the particular spot the photo was taken to the St. Johns River tributaries is very short - less than a mile.

Capturing the first flush of stormwater running off any road or street is crucial. Modular Wetlands and streetside landscaping are excellent ways to employ plants in preventing pollution.

Most of us don't realize how much the first flush carries into our stormsystems. Intercepting the pollution at the source is important.

Nutrients in Stormwater - Article from the Miami Herald

2010-01-21T09:20:00.000-08:00

Many views exist on nutrients in stormwater - the causes, the solutions, the impacts and more. I believe it is always good to read and understand different perspectives. The Miami Herald Article here contains many thoughts - and depending upon how the reader makes his or her livelihood and their respective eco-political views - they may or may not agree.

Miami Herald Article - NEW EPA WATER RULES WORTH EVERY PENNY

However, we here in Florida will be faced with a new statewide Unified Stormwater Rule this year and/or EPA's version of the same.

As Floridians, we should take the time to understand the factors contributing to how our rivers and lakes and waterbodies became the focus of environmental attention, and become proactive in keeping our natural resources in a healthy state - leave our planet a better place than when we arrived.

Environmental responsibility and clean water - lets all do our part - beginning wiht uinderstanding the issues...

Kevin

Curbs and Stormwater - Options for Swale Treatment

2010-01-13T17:49:00.000-08:00

During a meeting in Orange Park, FLorida this morning a senior PE expressed her dismay at Landscape Architectural review by cities and municipalities and the requirement for curbs.

Acknowledging safety issues, those involved in the discussion all agreed ways of routing stormwater directly into swales for quality and quantity treatment was an important part of sustainable stormwater BMP design.

Having read the recent article on how Philadelphia is proposing to use stormwater for urban landscape irrigation (great article) - I mentioned the program and passed along the link to the resource.

I am always looking at the design of new plant-based stormwater technologies and whenever I happen across the successful integration of landscape and stormwater I take pictures and share here on the blog.

The photos here are of the stormwater treatment system in the UNF visitors parking lot adjacent the nature center. Stormwater flows from the parking lot, interestingly adjacent to an ADA ramp into a curb lined swale within the interior of the parking lot. The stormwater both infiltrates into the ground under the swale and flows down-gradient into a central landscape island doubling as a pond.

Curb cuts along the gradient allow stormwater to enter the swale from the asphalted parking lot.

One idea for carrying the design to the next level would be the installation of a non-woven geosynthetic wrapped underground volume storage system under the swale. OF course, groundwater levels dictate the quantity of underground storage, however I have seen systems with H-20 loading capabilities (Atlantis Drain Cell) that are only 2" in thickness - ranging up to several feet (stackable).

Stormwater, Landscape and Parking combined - the new paradigm in site design.

Kevin

Tussocks - Floating Wetlands - Cleaning Waterbodies

2010-01-12T04:54:00.000-08:00

Sometimes answers to complicated problems can be very simple. RJ & I were attending another Stormwater/Clean Water Trade show recently. New mechanical devices designed to treat stormwater adorned almost every booth. There were Jellyfish and Hippos (literally) and ground up rubber tires and pumps and valves and everything mechanical and everything expensive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpHHUg59q90

RJ turned to me after I commented on how the need for clean water was driving all kind of mechanical inventions and noted... 'but God has made the best process for removing pollutants - Plants!'

I couldn't agree more. Sometimes we are fixated on long equations and electrically driven motors with pumps and gadgets for removing those pollutants made with the same motors, pumps and gadgets - from our stormwater.

Maybe the simple, cost effective answer lies in Plants. I think RJ has a point.

Check out the video of the floating tussocks RJ and I built for a pond on a golf course in St. Augustine, Florida. The severe cold (low 20's) we had lately bit the canna back a little, but they are growing rapidly, drinking up the fertilizer runoff as quickly as it finds the way off the fairway into the waterbodies.

Simple technology. Use Florida native species - allow the cleansing and removal process to work, harvest the biomass and reuse as compost/mulch somewhere else on site. Cleans the water and saves Florida's cypress trees from being ground into landscape mulch.

Simple. Cost-effective. Why aren't we as a State using these tussocks?

The 0h Decade...and Stormwater

2010-01-04T07:19:00.000-08:00

An Interesting Perspective and Commentary on Stormwater and the New Year (Decade)..

Below is an excerpt from the Sacremento Bee..

We must develop new, innovative sources of water supply, including massive groundwater recharge, the complete reuse of treated wastewater, local rainwater harvesting and environmentally and economically sound desalination of both seawater and brackish water. We must price water properly to encourage efficient use and appropriate allocation. And we must reform and enforce water rights allocations.

To read the entire article click the LINK...

Kevin

Slow it, Spread it, Sink it (it = stormwater), LID and Green Streets - Click Here

2009-12-18T08:21:00.000-08:00

Slow, it, Spread it, Sink it. Stormwater needs to go back into the ground, as most did before development occurred.

Click on the Title here for an attached newsletter from San Mateo, an example of a municipality utilizing green design practice to keep pollutants and nutrients out of the adjoining estuary.

Slow it, Spread it, Sink it.

San Mateo has a great LID Design Manual full of ideas and design drawings. Due to the manual's size, I've divided up the chapters and in some instances the pages and included all into a folder. Click on the link and open each chapter as needed.

Excellent design examples can be found throughout the entire manual. Let me know if you find the information useful - you can email me - ksonger@acfenvironmental.com

Cellular Confinement Systems for Pervious Roadways, Parks, Streets, Parking Lots and Sustainability

2009-12-17T03:40:00.000-08:00

Cellular Confinement Systems were refined by the U.S. Corps of Engineers and today offer an option of creating structural, pervious Green Roads, Parking Lots, Fire Access Lanes and more.

The Cellular Confinement System Design Guideline Brochure found at the link to the right (pdf file) provides information on how these systems can be used.

I was fortunate to spend the day recently with Hadas Levin of PRS, a cellular systems manufacturer.

Importantly, cellular confine systems can be used to produce pervious surfaces using the native soil - crushed and recycled asphalt - recycled concrete - fill from the site. In other words, there is usually no need to haul away excavated material - even though the excavated material may have a lower quality.

Furthermore, the system may be used to build tall, vertical living walls with a very small footprint.

Check out the attached design guideline for additional sustainable ideas!

Functioning and Beautiful Wetland Created in an Upland - UF's Teaching Wetland by Dr. Mark Clark

2009-12-16T17:55:00.000-08:00

If you haven't had the opportunity to visit the teaching wetland/stormwater pond at UF then be sure to walk the boardwalk through the system next time you are on the UF campus.

The SEEP Wetland is a creation of Dr. Mark Clark's and is truly a work of science and art. Many of you have heard my comments on just how hard it is to create a wetland in an upland area without existing hydrology. Florida's rainfall totals may hit the 50"+ mark every year. However the storms creating 50" of rainfall usually occur with unpredictable timing - sometimes we have several months of intense drought. Without native groundwater, surfacewater or other water supply, created wetlands tend to "dry up" and die...But not at the UF SEEP!

Mark designed the system with three major components, including a shallow forebay catching every little bit of precipitation. And the design is working, growing, cleaning stormwater, providing habitat for wildlife and a sense of place for people.

Perfect for bring back volumetric green to the Urban Core.

Stormwater Brings Beauty - Cypress & Stormwater Treatment

2009-12-09T04:02:00.000-08:00

The above Stormwater Pond was constructed and planted in 1996 and is celebrating 13 years of existence. The cypress were about three years old when planted so they are approximately 16 years old now. Cypress was chosen due to a low leaf litter rate (it is one of my favorite trees), its ability to withstand drought and floods, & because Florida's wildlife utilizes the tree for food and shelter.

When we looked at the site initially there were no wetlands or native water sources available - no surface water or groundwater to hydrate a constructed wetland. During design the team integrated a system that allows enough water to be conserved in the pond to allow for wetland plant establishment and provide an anaerobic environment capable of allowing denitrification.

The site here is downtown Tallahassee near the corner of Park Avenue and Magnolia Drive - the City of Tallahassee allowed the developer more site development density in exchange for a created wildlife habitat - the new paradigm in site development - combination of landscape and stormwater.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, however I'd say this small cypress wetland provides wonderful landscape beauty along with habitat where habitat is needed and especially clean water! With the new Florida Unified Stormwater Rule coming up soon, maybe more and more of these created wetlands will be built, serving to remove pollutants and nutrients, clean stormwater, provide habitat and a sense of place in the Urban Core.

Atlantis Green City Video Clip - Great Green and Sustainable BMP and Site-Building Design Video

2009-12-05T08:43:00.000-08:00

Though the above video is longer, the information contained within on Green Cities and what I call volumetric and vertical green - make it well worth the time taken to view the information.

You can call 800-448-3636 for additional information on all of Atlantis' products.

Living Walls by Atlantis Corp of Australia - Vertical Green

2009-12-05T08:25:00.000-08:00

Here is an interesting video of Atlantis Water Management System's Living Wall Concept. The design is solid, especially as the frame is made from 95% Post-Consumer recycled material - good LEED Compliant stats.

There are a few options I'd recommend - such as setting the living wall frame off from the stucco wall by at least 4 - 6 inches and seal any penetrations for anchors with a good low VOC sealant. Add a moisture/water barrier such as a HDPE sheet to the back of the vegetated frame.

Irrigation concept is good too, however I'd certainly add the irrigation water capture and recycling option - or connect directly to the gutter downspout.

The extra width will serve to provide stability - especially on free standing walls.

Any ideas how they could be used to treat stormwater? Remember - the more vertical green we restore to the Urban Core - the more we treat stormwater, provide wildlife habitat and create a sense of place. In addition - living walls are the missing links from horizontal green up to green and vegetated roofs. Call ACF Environmental if you are interested in the Living Wall by Atlantis concepts...

Kevin

This is a Stormwater Pond...Can you Tell?

2009-12-02T02:50:00.001-08:00

Combining Stormwater, Landscape and other site design features is the approach to take when maximizing site usefulness. The stormwater volume storage in the picture above is located under the white stone. Water loving plants are grown in special containers that keep roots out of the stormwater system but allow the plants to drink up the stormwater. Did you know that Florida's water management districts allow for evapotranspiration to be considered as part of volume recovery calculations? More importantly - the site takes advantage of combining required functions - stormwater and landscape into one cost effective and functional unit. And the system is rated for H20 loading so it is structural! The new paradigm in site design is Low Impact Development!

Volumetric Green in the Urban Core is the Answer! - Beauty - Clean Water & Habitat!

2009-12-01T04:01:00.000-08:00

Answer to what you ask? I'd reply - just about everything...As a youngster growing up in tropical South Florida, I'd spend weekends with my Grandpa who lived among the San Blas Indians while building radio towers for Pan American. He would tell me about how much they would rely on plants for food, fiber and medicine. And I think of how our Florida shores appeared to the first European explorers as they landed on our beaches - volumetric green! - A far cry from today's urban sprawled horizontal green. However, by bringing back volumetric green to the Urban Core we can immediately see cost-effective results in treating stormwater, providing wildlife with habitat, developing natural integrated pest management systems, provided a much needed sense of place to our cities' inhabitants, allow for food growing on a local and permaculture type basis, and much more. When studying the vertical green projects we've monitored over the years I am never ceased to be amazed at how much stormwater the plants drink. Critters requiring vertical green above four feet thrive because they can escape predators. As the ecosystem rebuilds, the Florida anoles and treefrogs eat ants, roaches, mosquitoes and termites - the perfect non-toxic, non-polluting via runoff pest management system. Vertical green allows to reach back and reconnect with our ancestors and their close relationship to volumetric green. Think about the holly wreaths we hang all over our walls this time of the year. Yes, volumetric green is the answer.

Florida Stormwater Association Conference this week in Tampa!

2009-11-30T01:18:00.000-08:00

Check out the three new floating wetland info diagrams available on this blog to the right under the FSA Floating Wetland Info Diagram links. The FSA conference looks to be packed full of information and opportunity. Hope to see you there.

Federal Judge Rules EPA can step in and set Florida's water quality standards...

2009-11-18T04:35:00.001-08:00

On November 16th, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle said he will approve a legal settlement calling for the federal government to set water quality standards for nutrients (pollutants) in Florida .

The State of Florida already restricts nitrogen and phosphorus discharges however environmental groups say the state is not doing enough.

To see the full consent decree click here.

To view the Google results of articles and blogs discussing the issue and impacts to various components of Florida's environment and economy, click here.

Landscape and Stormwater Combo - ACF StormScrubber cleans and stores stormwater

2009-11-16T23:02:00.000-08:00

ACF's StormScrubber is an example of one of the newest in technologies for cleaning stormwater. As nitrogen and phosphorus become limiting factors in urban development, plant based stormwater and wastewater treatment system are being implemented nationwide. Plants are efficient at uptaking nutrients, nutrients otherwise contributing to algae blooms and dead waterbodies. As site development becomes more constrained with respect to available space, stormwater and wastewater treatment can turn to plant based systems as a method of sequestering nitrogen, phosphorus, zinc, copper and other contaminants. Once sequestered, these pollutants may be removed through biomass harvesting and composted on-site for reuse in the landscape. Removing nutrients from the water cycle is the most efficient way of cleaning our water supply. Look to the ACF StormScrubber as a simple yet efficient plant based water treatment system.

2009-11-13T06:00:00.000-08:00

Remember the Atlantis Mini RainTank when your site has a high groundwater level. The Mini-module or 'half RainTank" is only 9.36" in height yet holds a full 2.36 Cubic Feet of volume. Exfiltration systems are 'Green', recharging the surficial ground area with much needed water. Moreover, the Atlantis RainTanks are manufactured from post-consumer recycled material, making them environmentally friendly and 'LEED' compliant. Call ACF today to learn more. 800-448-3636.

Sorption Media, Drain Cells and Rain Tanks - New Generation Stormwater Treatment

2009-11-12T17:35:00.000-08:00

Pictured here you see the structure of a stormwater system designed to fit directly under permeable pavers and permeable concrete. The black plastic framework is the Atlantis Draincell, a 2" thick, H-20 loading structural void system (95% void space). The DrainCell is filled with a University of Central Florida Product called sorption media. The DrainCell is set directly on top of a series of Atlantis RainTanks (volume storage). A 2" layer of #89 leveling stone will be spread across the fabric covering the DrainCell and Sorption Media and Permeable Pavers set on top of the stone. Bottom line - the Permeable Pavers allows stormwater to infiltrate down through the pavers, down through the #89 stone, down through the non-woven fabric, down through the Sorption Media packed DrainCell into the RainTanks for exfiltration or recycling as irrigation. The Sorption Media removes nitrogen and phosphorus while the DrainCell allows for volume (quantity) storage within inches of the bottom of the pavers. Saves $$$ on piping, inlets and drop boxes. Removes N & P from the stormwater runoff. Great for sites with high groundwater. New paradigm in stormwater and parking.

Floating Wetland Newsletter/Info File Uploaded

2009-11-12T08:11:00.000-08:00

Just posted the Floating Wetland Newsletter - packed with useful information about floating wetlands here on the blog. To download the Floating Wetland Newsletter, simply click on the above right link.

Protect All Exfiltration Systems & All Storm Sewer Inlets with Trash Guard and ACF Debris Guard!

2009-11-10T05:45:00.000-08:00

Protecting storm sewers is easy with ACF Environmental BMPs. TrashGuard and ACF's Debris Guard offer the perfect solution to preventing trash from entering storm sewer systems.

Introduction To Green

2009-11-10T03:35:00.000-08:00

Floating Wetland Series for Clean Water

2009-11-10T02:47:00.000-08:00

Floating Wetlands remove nitrogen, phosphorus and orhter nutrients & pollutants from

Florida's New Unified Stormwater Rule for 2010

2009-11-10T01:16:00.000-08:00

Jacksonville - Riverside 5 Points pond algae - A sign of degraded water quality.

OK - If you possess an interest in Florida's surface water quality you should understand the proposed new stormwater rule scheduled for adoption in July of 2010.

The rule has been proposed in a very rough draft format and can be downloaded at:

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/wetlands/erp/rules/stormwater/index.htm

However FDEP will be releasing an updated Draft Rule supposedly by the end of November 2009 - just in time for Thanksgiving!

The rule will encourage use of plant and eco friendly based stormwater systems such as modular wetlands, floating wetland islands, bioswales, green roofs and treatment trains.

To help you thoroughly understand the rule, we will go through the Technical Advisory Committee comments one by one here in the blog and discuss the issues associated with each component of the rule and treatment systems specified.

The ACF Green team has been working diligently to identify available technologies and coordinate approval of those systems with FDEP and Florida's Water Management Districts.

Check back - or better yet sign up to follow the blog.

Look forward to the discussion!
Kevin Songer

Opportunities for public comment on the new rule are scheduled as follows:

DATES	CITY	LOCATION	TIME
January 5, April 6	Tallahassee	DEP BMC Room 609 2600 Blair Stone Road	10 am – 3 pm
January 7, April 7	Pensacola	Hagler Auditorium, Pensacola Community College, 1000 College Blvd	10 am – 3 pm CST
January 12, March 23	Jacksonville	Baymeadows Way	10 am -3 pm
January 13, March 24	Live Oak	SRWMD Headquarters, Governing Board Room,	10 am – 3 pm
January 19, April 1	Tampa	SWFWMD Tampa Service Center, Governing Board Room, 7601 US Hwy. 301	10 am – 3 pm
January 20, March 31	Orlando	Supervisor of Elections, Conference Room, 110 West Kaley	10 am – 3 pm
January 26 March 16	West Palm Beach	SFWMD Storch Room SFWMD B1 Auditorium	130 – 5 pm 1230 – 5 pm
January 27 March 17	Fort Myers	SFWMD Service Center 1^st Floor Conference Room	10 am – 3 pm