Grassed swale.ppt

Grassed swale Where can you find a grass swale? A swale may be found alongside roads, sidewalk, streets, and in parking lots. This swale has been incorporated into the parking lot island. Its purpose is to hold and filter storm water that runs off the parking lot. What is a grassed swale and what does it do? A grassed swale is a long and shallow depression, typically much wider than deep. It is designed to hold storm water runoff, allow the water to soak into the ground, and filter it at the same time. Are there other benefits to using grass swales besides storm water control? One benefit is cost. The cost of designing and installing a swale is less expensive than installing curb, gutter, and underground storm water pipes. Another benefit is the aesthetic value of a swale. A grass swale provides visual variety by introducing green plants in an otherwise continuously hardened paved area Storm water best management practice… Using a grass swale is a storm water best management practice (BMP). Pervious Pavement What is pervious pavement and what does it do? Pervious pavement is a special type of pavement that allows runoff to soak into the ground underneath the pavement instead of flowing over it. The sandy soils of the Outer Banks are ideal for pervious pavement because they are able to soak up the storm water. There are many types of pervious pavement such as brick pavers, grass pavers, and porous asphalt Where is pervious pavement used? Pervious pavement materials such as gravel, stone, and block pavers can be used for driveways, walkways, and low use parking lots. The pervious pavement in front of you is used in several parking spaces and is called “brick pavers.” Storm water best management practice… Using pervious pavement instead of impervious pavement is another type of storm water best management practice (BMP). Bioretention Area What is a bioretention area and what does it do? A bioretention area is one that uses plants and soils to rem