Bioretention Swale

Bioretention Swales
Chapter 6 - Bioretention Swales
6
Chapter 6 Bioretention Swales
6.1 6.2 Introduction Design Considerations for Bioretention Swales 6-1 6-4
6.2.1 6.2.2 6.2.3 6.2.4 6.2.5 6.2.6 6.2.7 Landscape Design................................................................................................................. 6-4 Hydraulic Design .................................................................................................................. 6-4 Preventing Exfiltration to In-situ Soils.................................................................................. 6-4 Vegetation Types .................................................................................................................. 6-5 Bioretention Filter Media ...................................................................................................... 6-5 Traffic Controls .................................................................................................................... 6-6 Services ................................................................................................................................ 6-7
6.3
Bioretention Swale Design Process
6-8
6.3.1 6.3.2 6.3.3 6.3.4 6.3.5 6.3.6 6.3.7 6.3.8 6.3.9 6.3.10 6.3.11 6.3.12
Step 1: Confirm Treatment Performance of Concept Design ................................................ 6-9 Step 2: Determine Design Flows for the Swale Component ................................................ 6-12 Step 3: Dimension the Swale Component with Consideration to Site Constraints .............. 6-13 Step 4: Design Inflow Systems to Swale and Bioretention Components ............................. 6-15 Step 5: Design Bioretention Component ............................................................................ 6-18 Step 6: Verify Design .......................................................................................................... 6-22 Step 7: Size Overflow Pit ..................................................................................................... 6-23 Step 8: Make Allowances to Preclude Traffic on Swales...................................................... 6-24 Step 9: Specify Plant Species and Planting Densities .......................................................... 6-24 Step 10: Consider Maintenance Requirements ................................................................... 6-24 Design Calculation Summary .............................................................................................. 6-24 Typical Design Parameters ................................................................................................. 6-26
6.4
Construction advice and checking tools
6-27
6.4.1 6.4.2 6.4.3 6.4.4
Design Assessment Checklist ............................................................................................. 6-27 Construction Advice ........................................................................................................... 6-29 Construction checklist ........................................................................................................ 6-31 Asset transfer checklist ...................................................................................................... 6-32
6.5
Maintenance Requirements
6-33
6.5.1
Operation & Maintenance Inspection Form......................................................................... 6-35
6.6
Bioretention swale worked example
6-36
6.6.1 6.6.2 6.6.3 6.6.4 6.6.5 6.6.6 6.6.7 6.6.8
Worked Example Introduction ............................................................................................ 6-36 Step 1: Confirm Treatment Performance of Concept Design .............................................. 6-38 Step 2: Estimate Design Flows for Swale Component ......................................................... 6-38 Step 3: Dimensions of Swale .............................................................................................. 6-40 Step 4: Design of Swale Inlet .............................................................................................. 6-40 Step 5: Design of bioretention component......................................................................... 6-41 Step 6: Verification checks ................................................................................................. 6-43 Step 7: Overflow pit design ................................................................................................ 6-43
Engineering Procedures for ABC Waters Design Features
6.6.9 6.6.10 6.6.11 6.6.12 6.6.13
Step 8: Allowances to preclude traffic on swales................................................................ 6-44 Step 9: Vegetation specification ......................................................................................... 6-44 Step 10: Maintenance Plan ................................................................................................. 6-44 Calculation summary .......................................................................................................... 6-45 Construction drawings ....................................................................................................... 6-46
6.7
References
6-48
6.1
Introduction
Bioretention swales provide both stormwater treatment and conveyance functions. These systems consist of both elements of a vegetated swale and a bioretention system. These components are subtly different in the main function of the swale is that of conveyance while the primary function of the bioretention component is the promotion of soil filtration of stormwater. Typically, a bioretention swale would consist of a vegetated swale when the bioretention system is installed in the base of a swale. The swale may have a discharge capacity to convey stormwater flow for frequent events (i.e. up to the 5 year ARI event in accordance to the Singapore Code of Practice on Surface Water Drainage). The swale component provides pretreatment of stormwater to remove coarse to medium sediments while the bioretention system removes finer particulates and associated contaminants. Figure 6.1 shows the layout of a bioretention swale. Bioretention swales provide flow retardation for frequent storm events and are particularly efficient at removing nutrients.
Figure 6.1
Bioretention swale as a centre road median
The bioretention swale treatment process operates by firstly filtering stormwater runoff through surface vegetation associated with the swale. The bioretention component then operates by percolating the runoff vertically through a prescribed filter media,
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which provides treatment through fine filtration, extended detention treatment and biological uptake. Bioretention swales also act to reduce flow velocities compared with piped systems and thus provide protection to natural receiving waterways from frequent storm events by disconnecting impervious areas from downstream waterways. The bioretention component is typically located at the downstream end of the overlying swale cell (i.e. immediately upstream of the swale overflow pit(s) as shown on Figure 6.2 or can be provided as a continuous trench along the full length of a swale).
Vegetated swale bioretention
Overflow pit Road surface
Vegetated swale
bioretention
Ponding for extended detention Overflow pit
Filter media
Drainage layer
Figure 6.2
Bioretention Swale Conceptual Layout
The choice of bioretention location within the overlying swale will depend on a number of factors, including available area for the bioretention filter media and the maximum batter slopes for the overlying swale. Typically, when used as a continuous trench along the full length of a swale, the desirable maximum longitudinal grade of the swale is 4%. For other applications, the desirable longitudinal slope of the bioretention zone is either horizontal or as close as possible to encourage uniform distribution of stormwater flows over the full surface area of bioretention filter media and allowing temporary storage of flows for treatment.
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Bioretention swales are not intended to be infiltration systems in that the intent is to prevent excessive stormwater exfiltrate from the bioretention filter media to the surrounding in-situ soils. Rather, the typical design intent is to recover the percolated stormwater runoff at the base of the filter media, within perforated under-drains, for subsequent discharge to receiving waterways or to a storage facility for potential reuse. Thus these systems are suited even when close to structures as long as steps are taken to prevent exfiltration to surround soils through the use of a impervious liner where necessary. In some circumstances however, where the in-situ soils are appropriate and there is a particular design intention to recharge local groundwater, it may be desirable to permit the percolated stormwater runoff to infiltrate from the base of the filter media to the underlying in-situ soils.
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6.2 Design Considerations for Bioretention Swales

This section outlines some of the key design considerations for bioretention swales that the designer should be familiar with. Standard design considerations for the swale component of bioretention swales are discussed in detail in Chapter 5 (Swales and Buffers) and are not reproduced here. However, swale design considerations that relate specifically to the interactions between the swale and bioretention components are presented in this chapter so as to provide sufficient clarity of these interactions with design considerations that are specifically related to the bioretention component. Design considerations for the bioretention system are similar to that presented in Chapter 7 Bioretention Basins and are presented in both chapters for ease of reference with the exception of submerged zones which may be incorporated in bioretention swales to maximise treatment performance. Refer to Chapter 7.2 Key design configurations for further detail. 6.2.1 Landscape Design
Bioretention swales may be located within parkland areas, easements, carparks or along roadway corridors within footpaths (i.e. road verges) or centre medians. Landscape design of bioretention swales along the road edge can assist in defining the boundary of road or street corridors as well as providing landscape character and amenity. It is therefore important that the landscape design of bioretention swales addresses stormwater quality objectives and accommodates these other important landscape functions. 6.2.2 Hydraulic Design
A key hydraulic design consideration for bioretention swales is the delivery of stormwater runoff from the swale onto the surface of a bioretention filter media. Flow must not scour the bioretention surface and needs to be uniformly distributed over the full surface area of the filter media. In steeper areas, check dams may be required along the swale to reduce flow velocities discharged onto the bioretention filter media. It is important to ensure that velocities in the bioretention swale are kept below 0.5 m/s for frequent runoff events (2-10 year ARI) and below 2.0 m/s for major (50-100 year ARI) runoff events to avoid scouring. This can be achieved by ensuring the slope and hydraulic roughness of the overlying swale reduce flow velocities by creating shallow temporary ponding (i.e. extended detention) over the surface of the bioretention filter media via the use of a check dam. This may also increase the overall volume of stormwater runoff that can be treated by the bioretention filter media. 6.2.3 Preventing Exfiltration to In-situ Soils
Bioretention swales can be designed to generally preclude exfiltration of treated stormwater to the surrounding in-situ soils. The amount of water potentially lost from bioretention trenches to surrounding in-situ soils is largely dependant on the characteristics of the surrounding soils and the saturated hydraulic conductivity of the bioretention filter media (see Section 6.2.5). If the saturated hydraulic conductivity of the filter media is one to two orders of magnitude (i.e. 10 to 100 times) greater than that of the surrounding soil profile, the preferred flow path for stormwater runoff will be effectively contained within the bioretention filter media and into the perforated under-drains at the base of the filter media. As such, there will be little exfiltration to the surrounding soils.
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If the selected saturated hydraulic conductivity of the bioretention filter media is less than 10 times that of the surrounding soils, it may be necessary to provide an impermeable liner. Flexible membranes or a concrete casting are commonly used to prevent excessive exfiltration. The greatest pathway of exfiltration is through the base of a bioretention trench. If lining is required, it is likely that only the base and the sides of the drainage layer (refer Section 6.2.5) will need to be lined. A subsurface pipe is often used to prevent water intrusion into a road sub-base. This practice is to continue as a precautionary measure to collect any water seepage from bioretention swales located along roadways. Bioretention system built on highly porous landscape may suitably promote exfiltration to surrounding soils. In such circumstances, the designer must consider site terrain, hydraulic conductivity of the in-situ soil, soil salinity, groundwater and building setback. Further guidance in this regard is provided in Chapter 9 Infiltration. 6.2.4 Vegetation Types
Bioretention swales can use a variety of vegetation types including turf (swale component only), sedges and tufted grasses. Vegetation is required to cover the whole width of the swale and bioretention filter media surface, be capable of withstanding design flows and be of sufficient density to prevent preferred flow paths and scour of the media surface. Turf grasses should ideally be avoided where the soil filter is as these are shallow rooted systems with inadequate penetration to the full depth of the filter media and the turf stems inadequately prevent clogging at the surface of the filter media. Therefore it is preferred that the vegetation for the bioretention component of bioretention swales is sedges. The National Parks Board of Singapore should be consulted on suitable vegetation species for bioretention systems. Dense vegetation planted along the swale component can also offer improved sediment retention by reducing flow velocity and providing enhanced sedimentation for deeper flows. However, densely vegetated swales have higher hydraulic roughness and this will need to be considered in assessing their discharge capacity. Densely vegetated bioretention swales can become features of an urban landscape and once established, require minimal maintenance and are hardy enough to withstand large flows. 6.2.5 Bioretention Filter Media
Selection of an appropriate bioretention filter media is a key design step involving consideration of three inter-related factors: Saturated hydraulic conductivity required to optimise the treatment performance of the bioretention component given site constraints on available filter media area. Depth of extended detention provided above the filter media. Suitability as a growing media to support vegetation growth (i.e. retaining sufficient soil moisture and organic content).
The high rainfall intensities experienced in Singapore is expected to result in bioretention treatment areas being larger in Singapore than comparable systems overseas in Australia and the United States. The area available for bioretention swales in an urban layout is often constrained by factors such as the available area within the footpaths of standard road reserves. Selecting bioretention filter media for bioretention swale applications in Singapore will often require careful consideration of saturated hydraulic conductivity and extended detention depth to ensure the desired minimum volume of stormwater runoff receives treatment. This must also be balanced with the requirement to also ensure the
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saturated hydraulic conductivity does not become too high such that it can no longer sustain healthy vegetation growth. The maximum saturated hydraulic conductivity should not exceed 500 mm/hr (and preferably be between 50 - 200 mm/hr) in order to sustain vegetation growth. The concept design stage will have established the optimal combination of filter media saturated hydraulic conductivity and extended detention depth using a continuous simulation modelling approach (i.e. MUSIC). Any adjustment of either of these two design parameters during the detailed design stage will require the continuous simulation modelling to be re-run to assess the impact on the overall treatment performance of the bioretention basin. As shown in Figure 6.3, a bioretention system can consist of three layers. The filter media is the primary soil layer consisting typically of sandy-loam material. In addition to the filter media, a drainage layer is also required to convey treated water from the base of the filter media to the outlet via a perforated under-drains unless the design intent is to allow the filtered water to discharge (exfiltrate) into insitu soil. The drainage layer surrounds perforated under-drains and consist typically of fine gravel of 2-5 mm particle size. In between the filter media layer and the drainage layer is the transition layer consisting of clean sand (1mm) to prevent migration of the base filter media into the drainage layer and into the perforated under-drains. [Refer to the Bioretention Media Guidelines produced by FAWB1 (2007) for more information.]
Vegetated swale
0.2-0.5 m 1-3 m 0.3-0.7 m
Filter media (sandy loam)
Perforated collection pipe Possible impervious liner
0.1 m 0.2 m
Transition layer (coarse sand) Drainage layer (coarse sand/ gravel)
0.6-2.0 m
Figure 6.3 6.2.6
Typical Section of a Bioretention Swale
Traffic Controls
Another design consideration is keeping traffic and building material deliveries off swales, particularly during the building phase of a development. If bioretention swales are used for parking, then the surface will be compacted and vegetation damaged beyond its ability to regenerate naturally. Compacting the surface of a bioretention swale will reduce the hydraulic conductivity of filter media and lead to reduced treatment. Vehicles driving on swales can cause ruts that can create preferential flow paths that diminish the water quality treatment performance as well as creating depressions that can retain water and potentially become mosquito breeding sites. A staged construction and establishment method (see Section 6.4.2) affords protection to the sub-surface elements of a bioretention swale from heavily sediment laden runoff during the subdivision construction and allotment building phases. However, to prevent vehicles driving on bioretention swales and inadvertent placement of building
1
Facility for Advancing Water Biofiltration http://www.monash.edu.au/fawb/
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materials, it is necessary to consider appropriate traffic control solutions as part of the system design. These can include temporary fencing of the swale during the subdivision construction and allotment building phases with signage erected to alert builders and constractors of the purpose and function of the swales. Management of traffic near swales can be achieved in a number of ways such as planting the interface to the road carriageway with dense vegetation that will discourage the movement of vehicles onto the swale or, if dense vegetation cannot be used, by providing physical barriers such as kerb and channel (with breaks to allow distributed water entry to the swale) or bollards and/ or street tree planting. Kerb and channel should be used at all corners, intersections, cul-de-sac heads and at traffic calming devices to ensure correct driving path is taken. For all of these applications, it is recommended that the kerb and channel extends 5 m beyond tangent points. The transition from barrier or lay back type kerb to flush kerbs and vice versa is to be done in a way that avoids creation of low points that cause ponding onto the road pavement. Where bollards/road edge guide posts are used, consideration should be given to intermixing mature tree plantings with the bollards to break the visual monotony created by a continuous row of bollards. Bollards and any landscaping (soft or hard) must comply with the relevant guidelines. 6.2.7 Services
Bioretention swales located within footpaths (i.e. road verges) must consider the standard location for services within the verge and ensure access for maintenance of services. Typically it is acceptable to have water and sewer services located beneath the batters of the swale with any sewers located beneath bioretention swales to be fully welded polyethylene pipes with rodding points.
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6.3 Bioretention Swale Design Process

To create bioretention swales, separate calculations are performed to design the swale and the bioretention system, with iterations to ensure appropriate criteria are met in each section. The calculations and decisions required to design the swale component are presented in detail in Chapter 5 Swales and Buffers and are reproduced in this chapter. This is to allow designers and assessors to consult with this chapter only for designing and checking bioretention swale designs. The key design steps are:
Each of these design steps is discussed below, followed by a worked example illustrating application of the design process on a case study site.
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6.3.1
Step 1: Confirm Treatment Performance of Concept Design
Before commencing detailed design, the designer should first undertake a preliminary check to confirm the bioretention swale treatment area from the concept design is adequate to deliver the required level of stormwater quality improvement. A conceptual design of a bioretention basin is normally typically undertaken prior to detailed design. The performance of the concept design must be checked to ensure that stormwater treatment objectives will be satisfied. The treatment performance curves shown in Figure 6.4 to Figure 6.6 reflect the treatment performance of the bioretention component only and will be conservative as they preclude the sediment and nutrient removal performance of the overlying swale component. Notwithstanding this, the performance of the swale component for nitrogen removal is typically only minor and thus the sizing of the bioretention component will typically be driven by achieving compliance with best practice load reduction targets for Total Nitrogen. Therefore, by using the performance curves below, the designer can be confident that the combined performance of the swale and bioretention components of a bioretention swale will be similar to that shown in the curves for total Nitrogen and will exceed that shown for Total Suspended Sediment and total Phosphorus. These curves are intended to provide an indication only of appropriate sizing and do not substitute the need for a thorough conceptual design process. Nevertheless it is a useful visual guide to illustrate the sensitivity of bioretention treatment performance to the ratio of bioretention treatment area and contributing catchment area. The curves allow the designer to make a rapid assessment as to whether the bioretention trench component size falls within the optimal size range or if it is potentially under or oversized. The curves in Figure 6.4 to Figure 6.6 show the total suspended solid (TSS), total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) removal performance for a typical bioretention basin design with the following configurations: Filter media saturated hydraulic conductivity (k) = 180 mm/hr (0.5 x 10-4 m/s) and 360mm/hr (1 x 10-4 m/s) Filter Media average particle size = 0.5mm Filter Media Depth = 0.6m Extended Detention Depth = from 0 mm to 300 mm
The curves in Figure 6.4 to Figure 6.6 are generally applicable to bioretention swale applications within residential, industrial and commercial land uses. If the characteristics of the bioretention component of the bioretention swale concept design are significantly different to that described above, then the curves in Figure 6.4 to Figure 6.6 may not provide an accurate indication of treatment performance. In these cases, the detailed designer should use MUSIC to verify the performance of the bioretention swale.
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k s at=180mm/hr
100%
90%
80%
70% T S S R emoval (% )
60%
50%
40%
No E xtended D etention 100mm E xtended D etention
30%
20%
200mm E xtended D etention 300mm E xtended D etention
10%
0% 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
B ioretention S ys tem S urfac e Area ( as % of Impervious C atc hment)
k s at = 360mm/hr
100%
90%
80%
70% T S S R emoval (% )
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
200mm E xtended D etention
10%
0% 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
B ioretention S ys tem S urfac e Area ( as % of Impervious C atc hment)
Figure 6.4 Bioretention system TSS removal performance (Reference: Station 43)
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k s at=180mm/hr
90%
80%
70%
60% T P R emoval (% )
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0% 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
B ioretention S ys tem S urfac e Area (as % of Imperv ious C atc hment)
k s at=360mm/hr
80%
70%
60%
50% T P R emoval (% )
40%
30%
No E xtended D etention
20%
10%
0% 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
B ioretention S ys tem S urfac e Area (as % of Impervious C atc hment)
Figure 6.5
Bioretention system TP removal performance (Reference: Station 43)
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k s at=180mm/hr
60% 55% 50% 45% 40% T N R emoval (% ) 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10%
No E xtended D etention 100mm E xtended D etention 200mm E xtended D etention
5% 0% 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
B ioretention S ys tems S urfac e Area (as % of Impervious C atc hment)
k s at=360mm/h
50%
45%
40%
35%
T N R emoval (% )
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0% 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
B ioretention S ys tem S urfac e Area (as % of Impervious C atc hment)
Figure 6.6 6.3.2
Bioretention system TN removal performance (Reference: Station 43) Step 2: Determine Design Flows for the Swale Component Design Flows
6.3.2.1
Two design flows are required for the design of a swale: Minor (frequent) storm conditions (typically 5 year ARI) to size the hydraulic structures to safely convey storm flows of frequent/minor events within the
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swale and not increase any flooding risk compared to conventional stormwater systems Major flood flow (50 to 100 year ARI) to check flow velocities, velocity depth criteria, conveyance within road reserve, and freeboard to adjoining property. Design Flow Estimation
6.3.2.2
A range of hydrologic methods can be applied to estimate design flows. As the typical catchment area should be relatively small (<50 ha) the Rational Method design procedure is considered to be a suitable method for estimating design peak flows. 6.3.3 Step 3: Dimension the Swale Component with Consideration to Site Constraints
Factors to consider in defining the dimensions of the bioretention swale are: allowable width given the proposed road reserve and/ or urban layout how flows are delivered into a swale (e.g. cover requirements for pipes or kerb details) vegetation height longitudinal slope maximum side slopes and base width provision of crossings (elevated or at grade) requirements of the Public Utilities Board Code of Practice on Surface Water Drainage (2006).
Depending on which of the above factors are fixed, the other variables can be adjusted to derive the optimal swale dimensions for the given site conditions. The following sections outline some considerations in relation to dimensioning a swale. 6.3.3.1 Swale Width and Side Slopes
The maximum width of swale is usually determined from an urban layout and at the concept design stage, and should be in accordance with relevant local guidelines or standards of the Public Utilities Board. Where the swale width is not constrained by an urban layout (e.g. when located within a large parkland area) then the width of the swale can be selected based on consideration of landscape objectives, maximum side slopes for ease of maintenance and public safety, hydraulic capacity required to convey the desired design flow, and treatment performance requirements. Swale side slopes are typically between 1 in 10 and 1 in 4. The maximum swale width needs to be identified early in the design process as it dictates the remaining steps in the swale design process. For swales located adjacent to residential roads, the types of driveway crossing used will typically dictate batter slopes. Where there are no driveway crossings, the maximum swale side slopes will be established from ease of maintenance and public safety considerations. Generally at-grade crossings, are preferred which require the swale to have 1:9 side slopes with a nominal 0.5 m flat base to provide sufficient transitions to allow for traffic movement across the crossing. Flatter swale side slopes can be adopted but this will reduce the depth of the swale and its conveyance capacity. Where elevated crossings are used, swale side slopes would typically be between 1 in 6 and 1 in 4. Elevated crossings will require provision for drainage under the crossings with a culvert or similar. The selection of crossing type should be made in consultation with urban and landscape designers.
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6.3.3.2
Maximum Length of a Swale
The maximum length of a swale is the distance along a swale before an overflow pit (or field inlet pit) is required to drain the swale to an underlying pipe drainage system. The maximum length of a swale located along a roadway is calculated as the distance along the swale to the point where flow on the adjoining road pavement (or road reserve) no longer complies with the local standards for road drainage (for both the minor and major flood flows). This is often related to the discharge capacity of the swale and is calculated as the distance along the swale to the point where the flow in the swale (for the specific design flood frequency) exceeds the bank full capacity of the swale. For example, if the swale is to convey the minor flood flow (typically the 5 year ARI event in accordance to the Singapore Code of Practice for Surface Drainage) without overflowing, then the maximum swale length would be determined as the distance along the swale to the point where the 5 year ARI flow from the contributing catchment is equivalent to the bank full flow capacity of the swale (bank full flow capacity is determined using Mannings equation as discussed section 6.3.3.3). 6.3.3.3 Swale Capacity Mannings Equation and Selection of Mannings n
The flow capacity of a swale can be calculated using Mannings equation. This allows the flow rate (and flood levels) to be determined for variations in swale dimensions, vegetation type and longitudinal slope.
Q=
A R2 / 3 S1/ 2 n
A = cross section area of swale (m ) R = hydraulic radius (m) S = channel slope (m/m) n = roughness factor (Mannings n) Q = flow (m /s)
3 2
Equation 6.1
Where
Mannings n is a critical variable in Mannings equation relating to roughness of the channel. It varies with flow depth, channel dimensions and vegetation type. For constructed swale systems, typical Mannings n values are between 0.15 and 0.4 for flow depths shallower than the vegetation height (preferable for treatment) and significantly lower for flows with greater depth than the vegetation (e.g. 0.03 for flow depth more than twice the vegetation height). Figure 6.7 shows a plot of Mannings n versus flow depth for a grass swale with longitudinal grade of 5 % which is also applicable for other swale configurations. The bottom axis of the plot has been modified from Barling and Moore (1993) to express flow depth as a percentage of vegetation height. Further discussion on selecting an appropriate Mannings n for a swale is provided in Appendix E of the MUSIC User Guide (CRCCH 2005).
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10
20
40
60
80
90
105
200
Depth as % of vegetation height
Figure 6.7
Impact of Flow Depth on Hydraulic Roughness (adapted from Barling and Moore (1993))
6.3.4
Step 4: Design Inflow Systems to Swale and Bioretention Components
Inflows to bioretention swales can be via distributed runoff (e.g. from flush kerbs on a road) or point outlets such as pipe outfalls. Combinations of these inflow pathways can also be used. Uniform distribution of inflow would generally provide better operating conditions of bioretention swales owing to their long linear configuration. 6.3.4.1 Distributed Inflow
An advantage of flows entering a bioretention swale system in a distributed manner (i.e. entering perpendicular to the direction of the swale) is that flow depths are kept as shallow owing to sheet flow conditions. This maximises contact with the swale and bioretention vegetation, particularly on the batter (buffer strip) receiving the distributed inflows (see Figure 6.8). The buffer strip provides good pretreatment (i.e. significant coarse sediment removal) prior to flows being conveyed along the swale. Distributed inflows can be achieved either by having a flush kerb or by using kerbs with regular breaks in them to allow for even flows across the buffer surface (Figure 6.9). No specific design rules exist for designing buffer systems, however there are several design guides that are to be applied to ensure buffers operate to improve water quality and provide a pre-treatment role. Key design parameters of buffer systems are: providing distributed flows into a buffer (potentially spreading stormwater flows to achieve this) avoiding rilling or channelised flows maintaining flow heights lower than vegetation heights (this may require flow spreaders, or check dams) minimising the slope of buffer, best if slopes can be kept below 5 %, however buffers can still perform well with slopes up to 20 % provided flows are well distributed. The steeper the buffer the more likely flow spreaders will be required to avoid rill erosion.
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Depth as % of Sediment accumulation area vegetation height

60 mm set down Road surface
Road edge
Buffer strip
Figure 6.8
Flush Kerb with 60 mm Set-down to allow Sediment to Flow into Vegetated Area
Figure 6.9
Kerb Arrangements with Breaks to Distribute Inflows on to Bioretention Swales and Prevent Vehicle Access
Maintenance of buffers is required to remove accumulated sediment and debris therefore access is important. Most sediments will accumulate immediately downstream of the pavement surface and then progressively further downstream as sediment builds up. It is important to ensure coarse sediments accumulate off the road surface at the start of the buffer. Figure 6.10 shows sediment accumulating on a street surface where the vegetation is the same level as the road. To avoid this accumulation, a tapered flush kerb must be used that sets the top of the vegetation at approximately 60 mm below the road surface (refer Figure 6.8), which requires the top of the ground surface (before turf is placed) to be approximately 100 mm below the road surface. This allows sediments to accumulate off any trafficable surface.
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Figure 6.10 Flush Kerb without Setdown, showing Sediment Accumulation on Road 6.3.4.2 Concentrated Inflow
Concentrated inflows to a bioretention swale can be in the form of a concentrated overland flow or a discharge from a piped drainage system (e.g. allotment drainage line). For all concentrated inflows, energy dissipation at the inflow location is an important consideration to minimise any erosion potential. This can usually be achieved with rock benching and/ or dense vegetation. The most common constraint on pipe systems discharging to bioretention swales is bringing the pipe flows to the surface of a swale. In situations where the swale geometry does not allow the pipe to achieve free discharge to the surface of the swale, a surcharge pit may need to be used. Surcharge pits should be designed so that they are as shallow as possible and have pervious bases or weep-holes to avoid long term ponding in the pits (this may require under-drains to ensure it drains, depending on local soil conditions). The pits need to be accessible so that any build up of coarse sediment and debris can be monitored and removed if necessary. Surcharge pits are not considered good practice due to additional maintenance issues and mosquito breeding potential and should therefore be avoided where possible. Surcharge pit systems are most frequently used when allotment runoff is required to cross a road into a swale on the opposite side of the road or for allotment runoff discharging into shallow profile swales. Where allotment runoff needs to cross under a road to discharge to a swale, it is preferable to combine the runoff from more than one allotment to reduce the number of crossings required under the road pavement. Figure 6.11 illustrates a typical surcharge pit discharging into a swale. Another important form of concentrated inflow in a bioretention swale is the discharge from the swale component into the bioretention component, particularly where the bioretention component is located at the downstream end of the overlying swale and receives flows concentrated within the swale. Depending on the grade, its top width and batter slopes, the resultant flow velocities at the transition from the swale to the bioretention filter media may require the use of energy dissipation to prevent scour of the filter media. For most cases, this can be achieved by placing several large rocks in the flow path to reduce velocities and spread flows. Energy dissipaters located within footpaths must be designed to ensure pedestrian safety.
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Drainage holes to be drilled in base of pit
Secured grate
PLAN
Vertical drainage slots
Pipe connection from allotment
Removeable geofabric for cleaning sediment accumulation
ELEVATION
Figure 6.11
Example of Surcharge Pit for Discharging Allotment Runoff into a Swale
6.3.5 6.3.5.1
Step 5: Design Bioretention Component Specify the Bioretention Filter Media Characteristics
Generally three types of media are required in the bioretention component of bioretention swales (refer Figure 6.3 in Section 6.2.5). Filter Media The filter media layer provides the majority of the pollutant treatment function, through fine filtration and also by supporting vegetation. The vegetation enhances filtration, keeps the filter media porous, provides substrate for biofilm formation that is important for the uptake and removal of nutrients and other stormwater pollutants. As a minimum, the filter media is required to have sufficient depth to support vegetation. Typical depths are between 600-1000 mm with a minimum depth of 400mm accepted in depth constrained situations. It is important to note that if deep rooted plants such as trees are to be planted in bioretention swales, the filter media must have a minimum depth of 800 mm to provide sufficient plant anchoring depth. Saturated hydraulic conductivity should remain between 50-200 mm/hr (and should not be greater than 500 mm/hr. The following procedure is recommended in determine the appropriate soil filter media to match the design saturated hydraulic conductivity: Identify available sources of a suitable base soil (i.e. topsoil) capable of supporting vegetation growth such as a sandy loam or sandy clay loam. In-situ topsoil should be considered first before importing soil. Any soil
Page 6-18
found to contain high levels of salt (see last bullet point), extremely low levels of organic carbon (< 3%), or other extremes considered retardant to plant growth and microbial activity should be rejected. The base soil must also be structurally sound and not prone to structural collapse as this can result in a significant reduction in saturated hydraulic conductivity. The risk of structural collapse can be reduced by ensuring the soil has a well graded particle size distribution with a combined clay and silt fraction of < 12%. Using laboratory analysis, determine the saturated hydraulic conductivity of the base soil using standard testing procedures. (In Australia, reference is made to AS 4419-2003 Appendix H Soil Permeability). A minimum of five samples of the base soil should be tested. Any occurrence of structural collapse during laboratory testing must be noted and an alternative base soil sourced. To amend the base soil to achieve the desired design saturated hydraulic conductivity either mix in a loose non-angular sand (to increase saturated hydraulic conductivity) or conversely a loose loam (to reduce saturated hydraulic conductivity). The required content of sand or clay (by weight) to be mixed to the base soil will need to be established in the laboratory by incrementally increasing the content of sand or clay until the desired saturated hydraulic conductivity is achieved. The sand or clay content (by weight) that achieves the desired saturated hydraulic conductivity should then be adopted on-site. A minimum of five samples of the selected base soil and sand (or clay) content mix must be tested in the laboratory to ensure saturated hydraulic conductivity is consistent across all samples. If the average saturated hydraulic conductivity of the final filter media mix is within 20% of the design saturated hydraulic conductivity then the filter media can be adopted and installed in the bioretention system. Otherwise, further amendment of the filter media must occur through the addition of sand (or clay) and retested until the design saturated hydraulic conductivity is achieved. The base soil must have sufficient organic content to establish vegetation on the surface of the bioretention system. If the proportion of base soil in the final mix is less than 3%, it may be necessary to add organic material. This should not result in more than 10% organic content and should not alter the saturated hydraulic conductivity of the final filter media mix. The pH of the final filter media is to be amended (if required) to between 5.5 and 7.5. If the filter media mix is being prepared off-site, this amendment should be undertaken before delivery to the site. The salt content of the final filter media (as measured by EC1:5) must be less than 0.63 dS/m for low clay content soils like sandy loam. (EC1:5 is the electrical conductivity of a 1:5 soil/ water suspension). Testing of this soil property should be undertaken prior to their placement during construction. It should also be noted that soil hydraulic conductivity will vary after placement and is expected to initially decrease due to hydraulic compaction during operation. With maturity of plant growth, the soil hydraulic conductivty canbe expected to recover to asymptote to an equilibrium level comparable to its original value.
The selection of suitable soil filter media is a topic of continuing research. Further information can be obtained from FAWB (2007).
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Transition Layer The particle size difference between the filter media and the underlying drainage layer should be not more than one order of magnitude to avoid the filter media being washed through the voids of the drainage layer. Therefore, with fine gravels being used for the drainage layer (which will be at least two orders of magnitude coarser than the likely average particle size of the filter media), a transition layer is recommended to prevent the filter media from washing into the perforated pipes. The material for the transition layer is sand/coarse sand. An example particle size distribution (% passing) is provided below (typical specification only): 1.4 mm 1.0 mm 0.7 mm 0.5 mm 100 % 80 % 44 % 8.4 %
The transition layer is recommended to be 100 mm thick. The addition of a transition layer increases the overall depth of the bioretention system and may be an important consideration for some sites where total depth of the bioretention system may be constrained. In such cases, two options are available to reduce the overall depth of the system, ie. the use of a sand drainage layer and/or perforated pipes with smaller slot sized may need to be considered (Section 6.3.5.2). use a geotextile layer with a mesh size specified to be between 0.7 to 1mm. (This option should be an option of last resort as the risk of installing inappropriate liner is high).
Drainage Layer The drainage layer is used to convey treated flows to the outlet via a perforated under-drainage system. The composition of the drainage layer is to be considered in conjunction with the selection and design of the perforated under-drainage system (refer to Section 6.3.5.2) as the slot sizes in the perforated pipes may determine the minimum drainage layer particle size to avoid washout of the drainage layer into the perforated pipe system. Gravel is the preferred media for the drainage layer to match with the typical slot size of typical perforated or slotted under-drains. However, there may be circumstances where site conditions constraint the depth of the bioretention system. In such cases, it may be possible to use sand as the drainage layer media to avoid having to provide a transition layer between the filter media and the drainage layer. The drainage layer is to be a minimum of 200 mm thick and it is advisable that the drainage media is washed prior to placement in bioretention system to remove any fines. 6.3.5.2 Under-drain Design and Capacity Checks
The maximum spacing of the perforated pipes in wide bioretention trenches is 1.5 m (centre to centre) to ensure effective drainage of the bioretention system. By installing parallel pipes, the capacity of the perforated pipe under-drain system can be increased. The recommended maximum diameter of the perforated pipes is 100 mm to minimise the required thickness of the drainage layer. Either flexible perforated pipe (e.g. agricultural pipe) or slotted PVC pipes can be used, however care needs to be taken to ensure that the slots in the pipes are not too large that sediment would
Page 6-20
freely flow into the pipes from the drainage layer. This is also a consideration when specifying the drainage layer media. To ensure the slotted or perforated pipes are of adequate size, several checks are required: Ensure perforations are adequate to pass the maximum filtration rate of the media. Ensure the pipe itself has capacity to convey the design flow (ie. the maximum filtration rate multiplied by the surface area). Ensure that the material in the drainage layer will not be washed into the perforated pipes. Maximum filtration rate
6.3.5.3
The maximum filtration rate represents the maximum rate of flow through the bioretention filter media and is calculated by applying Darcys equation (Equation 6.2) as follows:
Qmax = Ksat L Wbase

Where Qmax Ksat Wbase L hmax d
hmax + d d
3
Equation 6.2
= maximum infiltration rate (m /s) = hydraulic conductivity of the soil filter (m/s) = base width of the ponded cross section above the soil filter (m) = length of the bioretention zone (m) = depth of pondage above the soil filter (m) = depth of filter media (m)
The capacity of the perforated under-drains need to be greater than the maximum filtration rate to ensure the filter media drains freely and the pipe(s) do not become the hydraulic control in the bioretention system (i.e. to ensure the filter media sets the travel time for flows percolating through the bioretention system rather than the flow through the perforated under-drainage system). To ensure the perforated under-drainage system has sufficient capacity to collect and convey the maximum infiltration rate, it is necessary to determine the inflow capacity of combined slotted area or perforation area of the under-drainage system. To do this, the sharp edged orifice equation can be used, i.e. the number and size of perforations is determined (typically from manufacturers specifications) the maximum driving head (being the depth of the filtration media plus the depth of extended detention). it is conservative but reasonable to use a blockage factor to account for partial blockage of the perforations by the drainage layer media. A 50 % blockage of the perforation is recommended. The orifice equation is expressed as follows:-
Qperf = B Cd A 2 g h
Where Qperf B
3
Equation 6.3
= flow through perforations or slots (m /s) = blockage factor (0.5)
Page 6-21
Cd A g h
= orifice discharge coefficient (0.61 for sharp edge orifice) = total area of the orifice (m2) = gravity (9.81 m/s2) = head above the perforated pipe (m)
It is essential that adequate inflow capacity is provided to enable the filtered water to drain freely into the drainage layer. After confirming the capacity of the under-drainage system to collect the maximum filtration rate, it is then necessary to confirm the conveyance capacity of the underdrainage system is sufficient to convey the collected runoff. To do this, Mannings equation (Equation 6.1) can be used assuming pipe full flow conditions and a nominal friction slope of 0.5%. The Mannings roughness used will be dependent on the type of pipe used. One end of the under-drains should be extended vertically to the surface of the bioretention system to allow inspection and maintenance when required. The vertical section of the under-drain should be a non-perforated or slotted pipe and capped to avoid short circuiting of flows directly to the drain. 6.3.5.4 Check Requirement for Impermeable Lining
The saturated hydraulic conductivity of the natural soil profile surrounding the bioretention system should be tested together with depth to groundwater, chemical composition and proximity to structures and other infrastructure. This is to establish if an impermeable liner is required at the base (only for systems designed to preclude exfiltration to in-situ soils) and/or sides of the bioretention basin (refer also to discussion in Section 6.2.5). If the saturated hydraulic conductivity of the filter media in the bioretention system is more than one order of magnitude (10 times) greater than that of the surrounding in-situ soil profile, no impermeable lining is required. 6.3.6 6.3.6.1 Step 6: Verify Design Vegetation Scour Velocity Check
Potential scour velocities are checked by applying Mannings equation (Equation 6.1) to the bioretention swale design to ensure the following criteria are met: 6.3.6.2 less than 0.5 m/s for minor flood (2-10 year ARI) discharge less than 2.0 m/s for major flood (50-100 year ARI) discharge . Velocity and Depth Check Safety
2
As bioretention swales are generally accessible by the public, it is important at any crossings and adjacent pedestrian and bicycle pathways to check that, the product of flow depth and flow velocity within the bioretention swale satisfies the following recommended public safety criteria: depth x velocity < 0.6.m /s for low risk locations and 0.4 m /s for high risk locations maximum depth of flow over crossing = 0.3 m
2 2
This is consistent with the recommendation in the Singapore Code of Practice for Surface Drainage which stipulates that the maximum velocity for a earth drain and concrete-lined drain should not exceed 1.5 m/s and 3 m/s respectively.
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6.3.6.3
Confirm Treatment Performance
If the previous two checks are satisfactory then the bioretention swale design is satisfactory from a conveyance function perspective and it is now necessary to confirm the treatment performance of the bioretention swale by reference to the performance information presented in Section 6.2.5 6.3.7 Step 7: Size Overflow Pit
In a bioretention swale system, overflow pits are used to control innundation depth. The crest of the pit is set raised above the surface of the bioretention filter media to establish the design extended detention depth. Grated pits are typically used and the allowable head for discharges into the pits is the difference in level between the pit crest and the maximum permissible water level to satisfy the minimum freeboard requirements of the Public Utilities Board. Depending on the location of the bioretention swale, the design flow to be used to size the overflow pit could be the maximum capacity of the swale, the minor flood flow (5 year ARI) or the major flood flow (50-100 year ARI). To size an overflow pit, two checks should be made to test for either drowned or free flowing conditions. A weir equation can be used to determine the length of weir required (assuming free overflowing conditions) and an orifice equation used to estimate the area between openings required in the grate cover (assuming drowned outlet conditions). The larger of the two pit configurations should be adopted. In addition, a blockage factor is to be used, that assumes the grate is 50% blocked. For free overfall conditions (weir equation):
Q weir = B Cw L h3 / 2
Where Qweir B Cw L h
Equation 6.4
= Flow into pit (weir) under free overfall conditions (m3/s) = Blockage factor (= 0.5) = Weir coefficient (= 1.7) = Length of weir (perimeter of pit) (m) = Flow depth above the weir (pit) (m)
Once the length of weir is calculated, a standard sized pit can be selected with a perimeter at least the same length of the required weir length. For drowned outlet conditions (orifice equation):
Qorifice = B Cd A 2 g h
Where B, g and h have the same meaning as in Equation 6.4 Qorifice Cd A
Equation 6.5
= flow rate into pit under drowned conditions (m3/s) = discharge coefficient (drowned conditions = 0.6) = area of orifice (perforations in inlet grate) (m2)
When designing grated field inlet pits, refer to relevant guidelines or standards for grate types for inlet pits.
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6.3.8
Step 8: Make Allowances to Preclude Traffic on Swales
Refer to Section 6.2.6 for discussion on traffic control options. 6.3.9 Step 9: Specify Plant Species and Planting Densities
Refer to Section 6.2.4 and the National Parks Board of Singapore for advice on selecting suitable plant species for bioretention swales in Singapore. Consultation with landscape architects is recommended when selecting vegetation to ensure the treatment system compliments the landscape design of the area. 6.3.10 Step 10: Consider Maintenance Requirements Consider how maintenance is to be performed on the bioretention swale e.g. how and where is access available, where is litter likely to collect etc.. A specific maintenance plan and schedule should be developed for the bioretention swale in accordance with Section 6.5. 6.3.11 Design Calculation Summary The following design calculation table can be used to summarise the design data and calculation results from the design process.
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BIORETENTION SWALES DESIGN CALCULATION SUMMARY

Calculation Task Catchment Characteristics Catchment Area Catchment Land Use (i.e. residential, Commercial etc.) Conceptual Design Bioretention area Filter media saturated hydraulic conductivity Extended detention depth 1 Confirm Treatment Performance of Concept Design Bioretention area to achieve water quality objectives TSS Removal TP Removal TN Removal Estimate Design Flows for Swale Compnent Time of concentration relevant local government guideline Identify Rainfall intensities I2-10 year ARI I50-100 year ARI Design Runoff Coefficient C2-10 year ARI C 50-100 year ARI Peak Design Flows 2-10 year ARI 50-100 year ARI Dimension the Swale Component Swale Width and Side Slopes Base Width Side Slopes 1 in Longitudinal Slope Vegetation Height Maximum Length of Swale Mannings n Swale Capacity Maximum Length of Swale 4 Design Inflow Systems to Swale & Bioretention Components Swale Kerb Type Adequate Erosion and Scour Protection (where required) 5 Design Bioretention Component Filter media hydraulic conductivity Extended detention depth Filter media depth Drainage layer media (sand or fine screenings) Drainage layer depth Transition layer (sand) required Transition layer depth Under-drain Design and Capacity Checks Flow capacity of filter media (maximum infiltration rate) Perforations inflow check Pipe diameter Number of pipes Capacity of perforations CHECK PERFORATION CAPACITY > FILTER MEDIA CAPACITY Perforated pipe capacity Pipe capacity CHECK PIPE CAPACITY > FILTER MEDIA CAPACITY Check requirement for impermeable lining Soil hydraulic conductivity Filter media hydraulic conductivity MORE THAN 10 TIMES HIGHER THAN IN-SITU SOILS? 5 Verification Checks Velocity for 2-10 year ARI flow (< 0.5 m/s) Velocity for 50-100 year ARI flow (< 2 m/s) 2 Velocity x Depth for 50-100 year ARI (< 0.4 m /s) Treatment Performance consistent with Step 1 6 Overflow Pit Design System to convey minor floods LxW m/s m/s 2 m /s mm/hr mm mm mm mm m /s mm m /s
3 3 3
CALCULATION SUMMARY Outcome Check ha
m mm/hr mm
2
m % % %
minutes mm/hr mm/hr
m /s 3 m /s
m % mm
m /s
mm/hr mm/hr
Page 6-25
6.3.12 Typical Design Parameters Table 6.1 shows typical values for a number of key bioretention swale design parameters. Table 6.1: Typical Design Parameters for Bioretention Swales Design Parameter Swale longitudinal slope Swale side slope for trafficability (with at grade vehicular crossover) Swale side slope Mannings n (with flow depth lower than vegetation height) Mannings n (with flow depth greater than vegetation height) Maximum velocity for scour in minor event (e.g. 2-10 yr ARI) Maximum velocity for 50-100 yr ARI Perforated pipe diameter Drainage layer average material diameter (typically fine gravel or coarse sand) Transition layer average material diameter typically sand to coarse sand Typical Values 1% to 4 % Maximum 1 in 9 Maximum 1 in 3 0.15 to 0.3 0.03 to 0.05 0.5 m/s 2.0 m/s 100 mm (maximum) 1-5 mm diameter 0.7 1.0 mm diameter
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6.4
Construction advice and checking tools
This section provides a number of checking aids for designers and referral authorities. In addition, advice on construction techniques and lessons learnt from building bioretention systems are provided. Checklists are provided for: Design assessments Construction (during and post) Operation and maintenance inspections Asset transfer (following defects period). 6.4.1 Design Assessment Checklist
The checklist overleaf below presents the key design features that should be reviewed when assessing a design of a bioretention basin. These considerations include configuration, safety, maintenance and operational issues that should be addressed during the design phase. Where an item results in an N when reviewing the design, referral should be made back to the design procedure to determine the impact of the omission or error. In addition to the checklist, a proposed design should have all necessary permits for its installations. The referral agency should ensure that all relevant permits are in place. These can include permits to clear vegetation, to dredge, create a waterbody, divert flows or disturb habitat. Land ownership and asset ownership are key considerations prior to construction of a stormwater treatment device. A proposed design should clearly identify the asset owner and who is responsible for its maintenance. The proposed owner should be responsible for performing the asset transfer checklist (see Section 0).
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BIORETENTION SWALE DESIGN ASSESSMENT CHECKLIST

Asset I.D. Bioretention Location: Hydraulics: Area: TREATMENT Treatment performance verified from curves? SWALE COMPONENT Longitudinal slope of invert >1% and <4%? Mannings 'n' selected appropriate for proposed vegetation type? Overall flow conveyance system sufficient for design flood event? Maximum flood conveyance width does not impact on traffic requirements? Overflow pits provided where flow capacity exceeded? Energy dissipation provided at inlet points to the swale? Velocities within bioretention cells will not cause scour? Set down of at least 60mm below kerb invert to top of vegetation incorporated? BIORETENTION COMPONENT Design documents bioretention area and extended detention depth as defined by treatment performance requirements? Overflow pit crest set at top of extended detention? Maximum ponding depth and velocity will not impact on public safety (v x d <0.4) Bioretention media specification includes details of filter media, drainage layer and transition layer (if required)? Design saturated hydraulic conductivity included in specification? Transition layer provided where drainage layer consists of gravel (rather than coarse sand)? Perforated pipe capacity > infiltration capacity of filter media? Selected filter media hydraulic conductivity > 10 x hydraulic conductivity of surrounding soil? Maximum spacing of collection pipes <1.5m? Collection pipes extended to surface to allow inspection and flushing? Liner provided if selected filter media hydraulic conductivity > 10x hydraulic conductivity of surrounding soil? Maintenance access provided to invert of conveyance channel? LANDSCAPE & VEGETATION Plant species selected can tolerate periodic dry periods, inundation and design velocities? Bioretention swale landscape design integrates with surrounding natural and/ or built environment? Planting design conforms with acceptable sight line and safety requirements? Top soils are a minimum depth of 300 mm for plants and 100 mm for turf? Existing trees in good condition are investigated for retention? Detailed soil specification included in design? COMMENTS Y N Y N Y N Minor Flood (m /s): Catchment Area (ha):
2
Major Flood (m /s): Bioretention Area (m ): Y N

2
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6.4.2
Construction Advice
This section provides general advice for the construction of bioretention basins. It is based on observations from construction projects around Australia. 6.4.2.1 Clean filter media
Ensure drainage media is washed prior to placement to remove fines. 6.4.2.2 Perforated Pipes
Suitable perforated pipes can be either a PVC pipe with slots cut into the length of it or a flexible ribbed pipe with smaller holes distributed across its surface (an AG or agricultural pipe). PVC pipes have the advantage of being stiffer with less surface roughness therefore greater flow capacity; however the slots are generally larger than for flexible pipes and this may cause problems with filter or drainage layer particle ingress into the pipe. Stiff PVC pipes however can be cleaned out easily using simple plumbing equipment. Flexible perforated pipes have the disadvantage of roughness (therefore flow capacity) but have smaller holes and are flexible which can make installation easier. Blockages within the flexible pipes can be harder to dislodge with standard plumbing tools. 6.4.2.3 Tolerances
It is importance to stress the importance of tolerances in the construction of bioretention swales (e.g base, longitudinal and batters) - having flat surfaces is particularly important for a well distributed flow paths and even ponding over the surfaces. Generally a tolerance of 50mm in surface levels is acceptable. 6.4.2.4 Building Phase Damage
Protection of filtration media and vegetation is important during the building phase. Uncontrolled building site runoff is likely to cause excessive sedimentation, introduce weeds and litter and require replanting following the building phase. Where possible, a staged implementation should be adopted, i.e. during the site development/construction phase, use geofabric and some soil and instant turf (lay perpendicular to flow path) to provide erosion control and sediment trapping. Following the building phase, temporary measures and sediments would be removed and bioretention swale is revegetated in accordance with design planting schedule. It is also possible to reuse the instant turf in the subsequent stages. If these systems are not staged to be part of the sediment control system during construction, it is advisable that stormwater flow during the site construction phases be diverted around the bioretention swales to sediment controls system to avoid smothering of planted vegetation by sediment loads from the construction site. 6.4.2.5 Traffic and Deliveries
Ensure traffic and deliveries do not access bioretention swales during construction. Traffic can compact the filter media and cause preferential flow paths, deliveries (such as sand or gravel) that can block filtration media is delivered onto the surface of the bioretention filter media. Washdown wastes (e.g. concrete) can also cause blockage of filtration media and damage vegetation. Bioretention areas should be fenced off during building phase and controls implemented to avoid washdown wastes. Management of traffic during the building phase is particularly important and poses significant risks to the health of the vegetation and functionality of the bioretention system. Measures such as those proposed above (e.g. staged implementation of final landscape) should be considered.
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6.4.2.6
Sediment Build-up on Roads
Where flush kerbs are to be used, a set-down from the pavement surface to the vegetation should be adopted. This allows a location for sediments to accumulate that is off the pavement surface. Generally, a set down from kerb of 60mm to the top of vegetation (if turf) is adequate. Therefore, total set down to the base soil is approximately 100 mm (with approximately 40mm turf on top of base soil). 6.4.2.7 Inlet Erosion Checks
It is good practice to check the operation of inlet erosion protection measures following the first few rainfall events. It is important to check for these early in the systems life, to avoid continuing problems. Should problems occur in these events the erosion protection should be enhanced. 6.4.2.8 Erosion Control
Immediately following earthworks it is good practice to revegetate all exposed surfaces with sterile grasses (e.g. hydro-seed). These will stabilise soils, prevent weed invasion yet not prevent future planting from establishing. 6.4.2.9 Timing for Planting
Timing of vegetation is dependent on a suitable time of year and potential irrigation requirements, as well as timing in relation to the phases of development. For example, temporary planting during construction for sediment control (e.g. with turf) is removed and the bioretention system planted out with long term vegetation. Alternatively, temporary planting (eg. turf or sterile grass) can be used until a suitable season for appropriate long-term vegetation. 6.4.2.10 Weed Control Conventional surface mulching of bioretention swales with organic material like tanbark, should not be undertaken. Most organic mulch floats and runoff typically causes this material to be washed away with the risk of blockage of drains occurring. Weed management will need to be done manually until such time that the design vegetation is established with sufficient density to effectively prevent weed propagation. 6.4.2.11 Watering Regular watering of bioretention swale vegetation is essential for successful establishment and healthy growth. The frequency of watering to achieve successful plant establishment is dependent upon rainfall, maturity of planting stock and the water holding capacity of the soil. The following watering program is generally adequate but should be adjusted (increased) to suit the site conditions: Week 1-2 Week 3-6 Week 7-12 3 visits/ week 2 visits/ week 1 visit/ week
After this initial three month period, watering may still be required, particularly during the first winter (dry period). Watering requirements to sustain healthy vegetation should be determined during ongoing maintenance site visits.
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6.4.3
Asset I.D. Site:
Construction checklist
Inspected by: Date: Time:
BIORETENTION SWALE CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION CHECKLIST
Constructed by:
Weather: Contact during site visit:
Items inspected
Checked Y N
Satisfactory Y N
Items inspected
Checked Y N
Satisfactory Y N
DURING CONSTRUCTION & ESTABLISHMENT A. FUNCTIONAL INSTALLATION Preliminary Works 1. Erosion and sediment control plan adopted 2. Temporary traffic/safety control measures 3. Location same as plans 4. Site protection from existing flows Earthworks and Filter Media 5. Bed of swale correct shape and slope 6. Batter slopes as plans 7. Dimensions of bioretention area as plans 8. Confirm surrounding soil type with design 9. Confirm filter media accordance with Step 4 specification in B. SEDIMENT & EROSION CONTROL (IF REQUIRED) 20. Stabilisation immediately earthworks and planting of landscape around basin following terrestrial Structural components 15. Location and configuration of inflow systems as designed 16. Location and levels of overflow pits as designed 17. Under-drainage connected to overflow pits as designed 18. Concrete and reinforcement as designed 19. Set down to correct level for flush kerbs (streetscape applications only) 19. Kerb opening width as designed
21. Silt fences and traffic control in place 22. Temporary protection layers in place
9. Provision of liner (if required) 10. Under-drainage installed as designed 11. Drainage layer media as designed 12. Transition layer media as designed (if required) 14. Extended detention depth as designed C. OPERATIONAL ESTABLISHMENT 23. Temporary protection associated silt removed Vegetation 24. Planting as designed (species and densities) 25. Weed removal and watering as required FINAL INSPECTION 1. Confirm levels of inlets and outlets 2. Confirm structural element sizes 3. Check batter slopes 4. Vegetation as designed 5. Bioretention filter media surface flat and free of clogging COMMENTS ON INSPECTION 6. Check for uneven settling of banks 7. Under-drainage working 8. Inflow systems working 9. Maintenance access provided layers and
ACTIONS REQUIRED 1. 2. Inspection officer signature:
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6.4.4
Asset I.D.: Asset Location: Construction by: Defects and Liability Period: TREATMENT
Asset transfer checklist
BIORETENTION SWALE ASSET TRANSFER CHECKLIST
System appears to be working as designed visually? No obvious signs of under-performance? MAINTENANCE Maintenance plans and indicative maintenance costs provided for each asset? Vegetation establishment period completed (as per LGA requirements)? Inspection and maintenance undertaken as per maintenance plan? Inspection and maintenance forms provided? ASSET INSPECTED FOR DEFECTS AND/OR MAINTENANCE ISSUES AT TIME OF ASSET TRANSFER Sediment accumulation at inflow points? Litter within swale? Erosion at inlet or other key structures? Traffic damage present? Evidence of dumping (e.g. building waste)? Vegetation condition satisfactory (density, weeds)? Watering of vegetation required? Replanting required? Mowing/slashing required? Clogging of drainage points (sediment or debris)? Evidence of ponding? Damage/vandalism to structures present? Surface clogging visible? Drainage system inspected? COMMENTS/ACTIONS REQUIRED FOR ASSET TRANSFER Y N
ASSET INFORMATION Design Assessment Checklist provided? As constructed plans provided? Copies of all required permits (both construction and operational) submitted? Proprietary information provided (if applicable)? Digital files (eg drawings, survey, models) provided? Asset listed on asset register or database?
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6.5
Maintenance Requirements
Bioretention swales have a flood conveyance role that needs to be maintained to ensure adequate flood protection for local properties. In this regard, a key maintenance requirement is ensuring that the shape of the swale is maintained and that the swale is not subject to erosion or excessive deposition of debris that may impede the passage of stormwater or increase its hydraulic roughness from that assumed. Vegetation plays a key role in maintaining the porosity of the soil media of the bioretention system and a strong healthy growth of vegetation is critical to its performance. The most intensive period of maintenance is during the plant establishment period (first two years) when weed removal and replanting may be required. It is also the time when large loads of sediments could impact on plant growth, particularly in developing catchments with an inadequate level of erosion and sediment control. The potential for rilling and erosion down the swale component of the system needs to be carefully monitored during establishment stages of the system. Other components of the system that will require careful consideration are the inlet points (if the system does not have distributed inflows) and surcharge pits, as these inlets can be prone to scour and the buildup of litter and sediment. Bioretention swale field inlet pits also require routine inspections to ensure structural integrity and that they are free of blockages with debris. Debris removal is an ongoing maintenance requirement. Debris can block inlets or outlets and can be unsightly, particularly in high visibility areas. Inspection and removal of debris should be done regularly. Typical maintenance of bioretention swale elements will involve: Routine inspection of the swale profile to identify any areas of obvious increased sediment deposition, scouring of the swale invert from storm flows, rill erosion of the swale batters from lateral inflows, damage to the swale profile from vehicles and clogging of the bioretention trench (evident by a boggy swale invert). Routine inspection of inlet points (if the swale does not have distributed inflows), surcharge pits and field inlet pits to identify any areas of scour, litter build up and blockages. Removal of sediment where it is impeding the conveyance of the swale and/ or smothering the swale vegetation, and if necessary, reprofiling of the swale and revegetating to original design specification. Repairing any damage to the swale profile resulting from scour, rill erosion or vehicle damage. Tilling of the bioretention trench surface if there is evidence of clogging. Clearing of blockages to inlet or outlets. Regular watering/ irrigation of vegetation until plants are established and actively growing (see section 6.4.2.11). Mowing of turf or slashing of vegetation (if required) to preserve the optimal design height for the vegetation. Removal and management of invasive weeds. Removal of plants that have died and replacement with plants of equivalent size and species as detailed in the plant schedule.
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Pruning to remove dead or diseased vegetation material and to stimulate new growth. Litter and debris removal. Vegetation pest monitoring and control.
Resetting (i.e. complete reconstruction) of bioretention elements will be required if the available flow area of the overlying swale is reduced by 25 % (due to accumulation of sediment) or if the bioretention trench fails to drain adequately after tilling of the surface. Inspections are also recommended following large storm events to check for scour. All maintenance activities must be specified in a maintenance plan (and associated maintenance inspection forms) to be developed as part of the design procedure. Maintenance personnel and asset managers will use this plan to ensure the bioretention swales continue to function as designed. The maintenance plans and forms must address the following: inspection frequency maintenance frequency data collection/ storage requirements (i.e. during inspections) detailed cleanout procedures (main element of the plans) including:
equipment needs maintenance techniques occupational health and safety public safety environmental management considerations disposal requirements (of material removed) access issues stakeholder notification requirements data collection requirements (if any)
design details
An example operation and maintenance inspection form is included in the checking tools provided in Section 6.5.1.
Page 6-34
6.5.1
Operation & Maintenance Inspection Form
The form below should be used whenever an inspection is conducted and kept as a record on the asset condition and quantity of removed pollutants over time.
BIORETENTION SWALE MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST

Asset I.D. Inspection Frequency: Location: Description: Site Visit by: INSPECTION ITEMS Sediment accumulation at inflow points? Litter within swale? Erosion at inlet or other key structures (eg crossovers)? Traffic damage present? Evidence of dumping (eg building waste)? Vegetation condition satisfactory (density, weeds etc)? Replanting required? Mowing required? Clogging of drainage points (sediment or debris)? Evidence of ponding? Set down from kerb still present? Damage/vandalism to structures present? Surface clogging visible? Drainage system inspected? Remulching of trees and shrubs required? Soil additives or amendments required? Pruning and/ or removal of dead or diseased vegetation required? Resetting of system required? COMMENTS Y N ACTION REQUIRED (DETAILS) 1 to 6 monthly Date of Visit:
Page 6-35
6.6
6.6.1
Bioretention swale worked example

Worked Example Introduction
Modelling using MUSIC was undertaken in developing a stormwater quality treatment system for a residential estate. This worked example describes the detailed design of a grass swale and bioretention system located in a median separating an arterial road and a local road within the residential estate. The layout of the catchment and bioretention swale is shown in Figure 6.12. A photograph of a similar bioretention swale in a median strip is shown in Figure 6.13 (although in that example the vegetation cover of the swale and bioretention system is all grass).
CELL B
13m
CELL A
35m
House lots
footpath
3 30m
4m 7m
swale
Service Road Service Road

bioretention
Collector Road
collector
service
verge
lot
Figure 6.12 Catchment area layout and section for worked example
Figure 6.13 Photograph of bioretention swale 6.6.1.1 Site Description
The site comprised of the arterial road and a service road separated by a median of some 6m width. The median area offers the opportunity for a local treatment
Engineering Procedures for ABC Waters Design Features Page 6-36
measure. The area available is relatively large in relation to the catchment and is elongated in shape. The catchment area for the swale and bioretention area includes the road reserve and the adjoining allotment (of approximately 30m depth and with a fraction impervious of 0.6). Three crossings of the median are required and the raised access crossings can be designed as the separation mounds between the swale and bioretention treatment system, thus resulting in a two-cell system. Each bioretention swale cell will treat its individual catchment area. Runoff from the arterial road is conveyed by a conventional kerb and gutter system into a stormwater pipe and discharged into the surface of the swale at the upstream end of each cell. Runoff from the local street can enter the swale as distributed inflow (sheet flow) along the length of the swale. As runoff flows over the surface of the swale, it receives some pretreatment and coarse to medium sized particles can be expected to be trapped by vegetation on the swale surface. Stormwater inflow exceeding the filtration rate of the soil media in the bioretention system will temporarily pond on the bioretention zone at the downstream end of each cell. Filtered runoff is collected via a perforated pipe in the base of the bioretention zone. Flows in excess of the capacity of the filtration medium overflow into the piped drainage system at the downstream end of each bioretention cell. Simulation using MUSIC found that the required area of bioretention system to meet a desired target of 80% reduction in TSS and 45% reduction in TP and TN is approximately 61 m2 and 22 m2 for Cell A and B respectively. The filtration medium used is sandy loam with a notional saturated hydraulic conductivity of 180 mm/hr. The required area of the filtration zone is distributed to the two cells according to their catchment area. 6.6.1.2 Design Objectives
The design treatment objectives for the bioretention swale are as follows:To meet the desired target of 80%, 45% and 45% reductions of TSS, TP and TN respectively Sub-soil drainage pipe to be designed to ensure that the capacity of the pipe exceeds the saturated infiltration capacity of the filtration media (both inlet and flow capacity) Design flows within up to 5-year ARI range are to be safely conveyed into a piped drainage system without any inundation of the adjacent road. The hydraulics for the swale need to be checked to confirm flow capacity for the 5-year ARI peak flow. The flow conditions are to attain acceptable safety and scouring behaviour for 100 year ARI peak flow. Constraints and Concept Design Criteria
6.6.1.3
The constraints and design criteria are as follows:Depth of the bioretention filter layer shall be a maximum of 600mm Maximum ponding depth (extended detention) allowable is 200mm Width of median available for constructing the bioretention system is 6m The filtration media available is a sandy loam with a saturated hydraulic conductivity of 180mm/hour. Site Characteristics
6.6.1.4
Key site characteristics are summarised as follows:-
Page 6-37
Land use Overland flow slopes Soil Catchment areas:
Urban, low density residential Cell A and B =1.3% Clay Summarised in Table below Collector road 35m x 7m 13m x 7m
Cell A Cell B
Allotments 35m x 30m 13m x 30m
Local road 35m x 7m 13m x 7m
Footpath 35m x 4m 13m x 4m
Swale 103m x 7.5m 44m x 7.5m
Fraction impervious 6.6.2
0.60 (lots); 0.90 (roads); 0.50 (footpaths); 0.0 (Swale)
Step 1: Confirm Treatment Performance of Concept Design
Nominated bioretention areas for Cell A and Cell B are 61 m2 and 22 m2 respectively. Interpretation of Figure 6.4 to Figure 6.6 with the input parameters below is used to estimate the reduction performance of the bioretention system to ensure the design will achieve target pollutant reductions. 200mm extended detention treatment area to impervious area ratio: Cell A - 61m2/ 1141 m2 = 5.35% Cell B - 22m2/ 423.8 m2 = 5.19% From the graphs, the expected pollutant reductions are 93%, 77% and 49% for TSS, TP and TN respectively and exceed the design requirements of 80%, 45% and 45%. 6.6.3 Step 2: Estimate Design Flows for Swale Component
With a small catchment the Rational Method is considered an appropriate approach to estimate the 5 and 100 year ARI peak flow rates. The steps in these calculations are as follows:Time of concentration (tc) Cell A and Cell B are effectively separate elements for the purpose of sizing the swales for flow capacity and inlets to the piped drainage system for a 5 year ARI peak flow event. Therefore, the tc are estimated separately for each cell. Cell A the tc calculations include consideration of runoff from the allotments as well as from gutter flow along the collector road. Comparison of these travel times concluded the flow along the collector road was the longest and was adopted for tc. Cell B the tc calculations include overland flow across the lots and road and swale/bioretention flow time.
The following tc values are estimated: tc Cell A : 10 mins tc Cell B: 8 mins
Page 6-38
Design rainfall intensities Adopted from IDF Chart for Singapore Design ARI 5 100 Cell A (10 min tc) 166 mm/hr 275 mm/hr Cell B (8 min tc) 173 mm/hr 283 mm/hr
Fraction impervious Cell A: Allotments Collector Road Local Road Footpath Swale TOTAL Area (m2) 1050 245 245 140 773 1680 fi 0.6 0.9 0.9 0.5 0.0 Impervious Area (m2) 630 220.5 220.5 70 0 1141
Hence effective fi = 0.68 Cell B: Allotments Collector Road Local Road Footpath Swale TOTAL Area (m2) 390 91 91 52 330 624 fi 0.6 0.9 0.9 0.5 0.0 Impervious Area (m2) 234 81.9 81.9 26 0 423.8
Hence effective fi = 0.68
Runoff Coefficient While the effective fraction impervious is 0.68, the runoff coefficients adopted were in accordance to those for a densely built-up urban area, as outlined in Code of Practice on Surface Water Drainage (Public Utilities Board 2006). Design ARI 5 100 Cell A 0.8 0.8 Cell B 0.8 0.8
Page 6-39
Design Flows The design flows for the two cells, computed using the Rational Method (Q = 0.00278. C.I.A) are summarised below: Design ARI 5 100 Cell A (m /s) 0.06 0.10
3
Cell B (m /s) 0.02 0.04
6.6.4
Step 3: Dimensions of Swale
The swales need to be sized such that they can convey the 5 year ARI peak discharge without water encroaching on the road. Mannings equation is used to compute the discharge capacity of the swale. In determining the dimensions of the swale, the depth of the swale were determined by the requirement for it to enable allotment drainage to be discharged to the surface of the swale. Given the cover requirements of the allotment drainage pipes as they flow under the service road (600 mm minimum cover), it set the base of the bioretention systems at 0.76m below road surface. The following are the characteristics of the proposed swale: Base width of 1m with 1:3 side slopes, max depth of 0.76m Grass vegetation mown to height of 0.1m (assume n = 0.045 for 5 year ARI with flows above grass height) 1.3% longitudinal slope
The approach taken is to size the swale to accommodate flows in Cell A and then adopt the same dimension for Cell B for aesthetic reasons (Cell B has lower flow rates). The maximum capacity of the swale (Qcap) is estimated adopting a 150mm freeboard3 (i.e. maximum depth is 0.61m). Qcap = 2.19 m3/s >> 0.10 m3/s Therefore, there is adequate capacity given the relatively large dimensions of the swale to accommodate allotment runoff connection. With a base width of 1 m, the lengths of the bioretention system in Cells A and B will need to be 61 m and 22 m respectively to attain the required areas to meet the water quality objectives. 6.6.5 Step 4: Design of Swale Inlet
There are two mechanisms for flows to enter the system, firstly underground pipes (either from the upstream collector road into Cell 1 or from allotment runoff) and secondly direct runoff from road and footpaths. Flush kerbs with a 60 mm set down are intended to be used to allow for sediment accumulation from the road surfaces. Grouted rock is to be used for scour protection for the pipe outlets into the system. The intention of these is to reduce localised flow velocities to avoid erosion.
The Singapore Code of Practice for Surface Drainage would normally stipulate a freeboard of 15% of the depth of the drain, ie. 0.15 x 760 = 110mm Engineering Procedures for ABC Waters Design Features Page 6-40
6.6.6 6.6.6.1
Step 5: Design of bioretention component Soil Media Specification
Three layers of soil media are to be used. A sandy loam filtration media (600mm), a medium to coarse sand transition layer (100mm) and a gravel drainage layer (200mm). 6.6.6.2 Filter Media Specifications
The filter media is to be a sandy loam with the following criteria (from FAWB 2007): The material shall meet the geotechnical requirements set out below: Hydraulic conductivity between 50-200 mm/hr Particle sizes of between: clay 2 4 %, silt 4 8 %, sand < 85 % Organic content between 3% and 10% pH 5.5 7.5 6.6.6.3 Transition Layer Specifications
Transition layer material shall be coarse sand material. A typical particle size distribution is provided below: % passing 1.4 mm 100 % 1.0 mm 80 % 0.7 mm 44 % 0.5 mm 8.4 % 6.6.6.4 Drainage Layer Specifications
The drainage layer is to be 2 - 5 mm screenings. 6.6.6.5 Maximum Filtration Rate of Bioretention Media
The maximum filtration rate reaching the perforated pipe at the base of the soil media is estimated by using the hydraulic conductivity of the media and the head above the pipes and applying Darcys equation. Saturated hydraulic conductivity = 180 mm/hr Flow capacity of the filtration media = (1-) As kh
Qmax = k LW base
hmax+d d
0.2 + 0.6 Qmax = 5 10 5 L Wbase 0.6

where: k = hydraulic conductivity of the soil filter (m/s)
W base = base width of the filtration area (m) 1 m width adopted L hmax d = length of the bioretention zone (m); 61 m (Cell A) and 22 m (Cell B) = depth of pondage above the soil filter (m) = depth of filter media
3 3
Maximum filtration rate Cell A = 0.0041 m /s Maximum filtration rate Cell B = 0.0015 m /s
Page 6-41
6.6.6.6
Sizing of Slotted Collection Pipes
Estimate the inlet capacity of sub-surface drainage system (perforated pipe) to ensure it is not a choke in the system. To build in conservatism, it is assumed that 50% of the holes are blocked. A standard slotted pipe was selected that is widely available. To estimate the flow rate an orifice equation is applied using the following parameters: Assuming drainage layer is saturated, driving head is half the depth of the drainage layer H = 0.1m Assume sub-surface drains with half of all pipes blocked Product specification Clear Opening Assumed unblocked opening Slot Width Slot Length Diameter = 2100 mm2/m = 1050mm2/m = 1.5 mm = 7.5 mm = 100 mm
Number of slots per metre = (1050)/(1.5x7.5) = 93.3 Assume orifice flow conditions Q = CA 2gh C = 0.61 (Assume slot width acts as a sharp edged orifice). Inlet capacity /m of pipe = [0.61x (0.0015 x 0.0075) x 2x9.81x0.1] x 93.3 = 0.0009 m3/s Inlet capacity/m x total length = Cell A = 0.0009 x 61 = 0.055 m3/s >> 0.0041 m3/s (max infiltration rate), hence 61 m of pipe has sufficient perforation capacity to pass flows into the perforated pipe. Cell B = 0.0009 x 22 = 0.020 m3/s >> 0.0015 m3/s (max infiltration rate), hence 22m of pipe is sufficient. 6.6.6.7 Slotted Pipe Capacity
The Colebrook-White equation is applied to estimate the flow rate in the perforated 4 pipe. A slope of 0.5% is assumed and a 100mm perforated pipe (as above) was used. Should the capacity not be sufficient, additional pipes would be required. The capacity of this pipe needs to exceed the maximum filtration rate of the media. Estimate applying the Colebrook-White Equation Q = [-2(2gDSf) log (k/3.7D + 2.51v/D(2gDSf) )] x A Adopt D Sf g k v
3 0.5 0.5
= pipe internal diameter (0.10m) = slope (0.005m/m) = gravitational acceleration (9.81m /s) = hydraulic roughness (0.007m) = velocity (1.007 x 10 m/s)
5 3 3 -6 2
Qcap = 0.01 m /s (for one pipe) > 0.004 m /s (Cell 1); 0.001 m /s (Cell 2), and hence 1 pipe is sufficient to convey the maximum infiltration rate for both Cell A and B.
4
A slope of 0.5% is adopted simply for convenience. In reality, the discharge capacity is reached when the soil is saturated and water ponded to the full extended detention depth. Bioretention systems can operate equally effectively with the underdrain laid at near-zero (but positive) slopes. Page 6-42
Adopt 1 x 100 mm slotted pipe for the underdrainage system in both Cell A and Cell B. 6.6.6.8 Drainage Layer Hydraulic Conductivity
Typically flexible perforated pipes are installed using fine gravel media to surround them. In this case study, 2-5mm gravel is specified for the drainage layer. This media is much coarser than the filtration media (sandy loam) therefore to reduce the risk of washing the filtration layer into the perforated pipe, a transition layer is to be used. This is to be 100 mm of coarse sand. 6.6.6.9 Impervious Liner Requirement
In this catchment the surrounding soils are clay to silty clays with a saturated hydraulic conductivity of approximately 3.6 mm/hr. The sandy loam media that is proposed as the filter media has a hydraulic conductivity of 50 - 200 mm/hr. Therefore the conductivity of the filter media is > 10 times the conductivity of the surrounding soils and an impervious liner is not required. 6.6.7 6.6.7.1 Step 6: Verification checks Vegetation Scour Velocity Check
Assume Q5 and Q100 will be conveyed through the swale/bioretention system. Check for scouring of the vegetation by checking that velocities are below 0.5m/s during Q5 and 2.0 m/s for Q100. Using Mannings equation to solve for depth for Q5 and Q100 gives the following results: Q5 = 0.062 m3/s, depth = 0.12 (with n = 0.06), velocity = 0.38m/s < 0.5m/s therefore, OK Q100 = 0.103 m3/s, depth = 0.14m (with n = 0.045), velocity = 0.52m/s < 2.0m/s therefore, OK Hence, the swale and bioretention system can satisfactorily convey the peak 5 and 100-year ARI flood, with minimal risk of vegetation scour. 6.6.7.2 Safety Velocity Check
Check velocity depth product in Cell A during peak 100-year ARI flow for pedestrian safety criteria. V = 0.52m/s (calculated previously) D = 0.14m V.D = 0.52 x 0.14 = 0.07 < 0.6m2/s Therefore, velocities and depths are OK. 6.6.8 Step 7: Overflow pit design
The overflow pits are required to convey 5 year ARI flows safely from above the bioretention systems and into an underground pipe network. Grated pits are to be used at the downstream end of each bioretention system. There are standard pit sizes to accommodate connection to the underground stormwater pipe. For a minimum underground pipe of 300 mm diameter, a 450 mm x 450 mm pit will be required for both Cell A and Cell B.
Per manufacturer data
Page 6-43
To check the adequacy of this pit to convey the 5 year ARI peak discharge, two flow conditions need to be check. The assumed water level above the crest of the pit is the depth of water from the road surface, less freeboard and the extended detention (i.e. 0.76 (0.15 + 0.2) = 0.41m). First check using a weir equation Qweir = B.C.L.H3/2
3
with B = 0.5, C = 1.7, L = 1.8 and H = 0.41
= 0.4 m /s > 0.06 m3/s .OK Now check for drowned conditions: Qorifice = B.C.A 2gh with B = 0.5, C = 0.6, A = 0.20 and H = 0.41 = 0.17 m3/s > 0.06 m3/sOK
6.6.9
Step 8: Allowances to preclude traffic on swales
Traffic control is achieved by using traffic bollards. 6.6.10 Step 9: Vegetation specification Consultation with the National Parks Board is required in determining the list of suitable plant species for the proposed bioretention swale. 6.6.11 Step 10: Maintenance Plan A maintenance plan for Swales 1 and 2 is to be prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Public Utilities Board and the recommendations in Section 6.4.
Page 6-44
6.6.12 Calculation summary The sheet below summarises the results of the design calculations.
Bioretention Swales CALCULATION TASK 1 Identify design criteria conveyance flow standard (ARI) area of bioretention maximum ponding depth Filter media type Catchment characteristics slope Fraction impervious Cell A Cell B 3 Estimate design flow rates Time of concentration estimate from flow path length and velocities Identify rainfall intensities station used for IFD data: major flood - 100 year ARI minor flood - 5 year ARI Peak design flows Qminor Q100 Q infil 3 4 5 Swale design appropriate Manning's n used? Inlet details adequate erosion and scour protection? Velocities over vegetation velocity for 5 year flow (<0.5m/s) velocity for 100 year flow (<1.0m/s) safety: Vel x Depth (<0.4) Slotted collection pipe capacity pipe diameter 100 number of pipes 1 pipe capacity 0.01 capacity of perforations 0.055 (A); 0.020 (B) soil media infiltration capacity 0.004, 0.001 8 9 Overflow system system to convey minor floods Surrounding soil check soil hydraulic conductivity filter media MORE THAN 10 TIMES HIGHER THAN SOILS? Filter media specification filtration media transition layer drainage layer 11 Plant selection sandy-loam sand gravel 3.6 180 yes mm/hr mm/hr mm m3/s m3/s m3/s yes rock pitching 0.38 0.52 0.07 m/s m/s m2/s 0.06 (A), 0.02 (B) 0.10 (A), 0.04 (B) 0.0041 (A) 0.0015 (B) m3/s m3/s m3/s 0.68 0.68 1680 624 1.3 CALCULATION SUMMARY OUTCOME 10 61 and 22 200 180 year m2 mm mm/hr m2 m2 % CHECK
Cell A - 10 Cell B - 8 Singapore A - 275, B - 283 A - 166, B - 173
minutes
mm/hr mm/hr
10
turf
Page 6-45
6.6.13 Construction drawings
Page 6-46
Page 6-47
6.7
References
Barling, R. D., & Moore, I. D., 1993, The role of buffer strips in the management of waterway pollution. Paper presented at the The role of buffer strips in the management of waterway pollution from diffuse urban and rural sources, The University of Melbourne CRCCH (Cooperative Research Centre for Catchment Hydrology), 2003, Model for Urban Stormwater Improvement Conceptualisation (MUSIC) User Guide, Version 2.0, December FAWB - Facility for Advancing Water Biofiltration (2007). Bioretention and Tree Pit Media Specifications, http://www.monash.edu.au/fawb/products/.Update March 2007. Engineers Australia, 2006, Australian Runoff Quality: A guide to Water Sensitive Urban Design, Editor-in-Chief Wong, T H F, ISBN 0 85825 852 8, Engineers Australia, Canberra, Australia, 2006 Institution of Engineers Australia 2001. Australian Rainfall and Runoff - A Guide to Flood Estimation. Barton, ACT, Engineers Australia. Editor in Chief Pilgram, D.H. Public Utilities Board (2006). Code of Practice on Surface Water Drainage. Singapore. 50p.
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Chapter 6 - Bioretention Swales