What Are Stormwater Infiltration Systems?
Last Updated on January 9, 2025 by Stormwater Compliance Solutions
Stormwater infiltration systems are vital to managing excess overflow in urban areas during rain events. As construction and urbanization increase, it becomes more challenging for the land to absorb excess rainwater. Because of structures such as roads and buildings, this leads to increased runoff in these areas, which can result in erosion, flooding, water pollution, and overloaded drainage systems.
Different infiltration systems manage and capture stormwater runoff, and infiltrated runoff filters out pollutants and refreshes groundwater supplies. The process of infiltration improves the quality of local water. Read on to learn more about stormwater infiltration, the different methods and types, and the benefits of implementing infiltration units.
What Do Stormwater Infiltration Systems Do?
The primary function of infiltration drainage systems and other types is to manage runoff generated during rain events. Key functions include the following:
- Groundwater recharge: Stormwater infiltration basins and other units replenish groundwater aquifers, which maintains local water supplies, particularly during times of drought.
- Pollutant removal: The infiltration of runoff allows contaminants such as heavy metals, sediments, and nutrients to be filtered out, improving overall water quality.
- Runoff reduction: Infiltration BMPs and BMP service reduce the amount of water from stormwater into drainage systems and local water bodies, mitigating flooding and erosion risks.
- Temperature regulation: Systems can help regulate temperature, which keeps aquatic life safe.
What Is the Difference Between Filtration and Infiltration of Stormwater?
Knowing the difference between retention, detention, and infiltration is imperative for stormwater management and adopting best management practices (BMPs).
What Is Filtration?
Filtration in stormwater management refers to the process of removing particles and pollutants from water as they pass through a filter medium, which can be physical, chemical, or biological. Filtration is often used as pretreatment to catch larger particles and pieces of debris.
What Is an Infiltration Basin?
How is infiltration related to groundwater? Infiltration refers to the process of water seeping into the ground. Basins and other types of stormwater infiltration systems allow water to infiltrate into the ground as opposed to creating runoff or flooding. The process of infiltration and infiltration basin design involves water moving through the layers of soil while being affected by nearby vegetation, moisture, and soil characteristics.
What Is an Infiltration Basin vs. Detention Basin?
What is the difference between detention and infiltration of stormwater? Detention systems hold water temporarily and gradually release it into drainage systems or bodies of water. They do not necessarily perform any infiltration basin detail and are used to manage peak flow rates and flooding. In contrast, the specific function of stormwater infiltration systems is soil infiltration, allowing water back into the soil.
What Are the Different Types of Stormwater Infiltration Systems?
Each type of underground stormwater infiltration system has its own set of features and applications. Some of the most commonly used underground stormwater detention systems include:
- Infiltration basins: These basins are often shallow and are designed to hold water temporarily. Then, they infiltrate water into the soil while removing sediment and pollutants.
- Infiltration trenches: These are long, excavated channels that are often filled with gravel. They are optimal for small spaces and rapidly infiltrate water back into the soil.
- Bioswales: These are vegetated channels that filter and slow down stormwater runoff.
- Bioretention areas: Another name for bioretention areas is rain gardens. These are landscaped areas designed to treat and capture stormwater. They infiltrate and remove pollutants with the combination of engineered soil and vegetation.
- Permeable pavements: These are permeable surfaces that allow water to directly pass through and infiltrate the soil. They are common in driveways and parking lots.
- Stormwater chamber systems: Chamber systems are built underground with large capacities to hold stormwater while also allowing for concurrent infiltration. They are best for smaller land sizes.
Does infiltration purify water? Yes, the removal of pollutants from several of the above systems does help to purify water.
What Are the Benefits of Stormwater Infiltration?
There are many benefits to having stormwater infiltration systems. Some of the key benefits are below:
- Better water quality: Filtration systems filter out pollutants before they can affect local waterways, vastly improving water quality.
- Groundwater protection: Systems protect precious groundwater supplies by reducing the flow of contaminated water.
- Flood mitigation: Units reduce the runoff amount that reaches drainage systems, which helps prevent flooding.
- Cost-effectiveness: Stormwater infiltration chambers and other systems can reduce the need for infrastructure upgrades and repairs.
- Reduced heat island effect: Infiltration systems can help cool urban areas by increasing the amount of water that is evaporated from the ground.
- Aesthetics: Properly installed infiltration systems not only help the local ecosystem and provide a natural, pleasing urban aesthetic.
Contact Us
Stormwater infiltration systems are valuable for managing stormwater runoff and protecting water resources. They are relatively simple to install and maintain and can be used in various settings, including residential, commercial, and industrial areas. For more information on innovative stormwater management solutions and how these systems could benefit you, reach out to us here.
