Stormwater Management: Structural BMPs

Many so-called Structural BMPs are actually based on natural systems and rely upon vegetation and soil mechanisms in order to perform as intended. Others are considered more conventional “brick and mortar” techniques. The use of these mitigative techniques is not meant to replace the use of non-structural BMPs, but rather to work in tandem with these planning and design-based approaches to minimize unavoidable impacts.

The decision about which structural BMPs are most appropriate comes not ass a post construction fix, but rather as a result of the Site Design Procedure For Comprehensive Stormwater Management. More information about the process is found in the Planning section of the site(to Planning/ SWM Planning Procedure)

The PA DEP Stormwater BMP Manual contains details on some 21 Structural BMPs, several of which offer variations on a central theme. Like the Non-Structural BMPs presented in the Manual, the list of Structural BMPs is expected to grow as stormwater management practices continue to evolve and mature.

A detailed discussion of Structural BMPs can be found in Chapter 6 of the Stormwater BMP Manual.

6.7.2 Landscape restoration

Landscape Restoration is the general term used for actively sustainable landscaping practices that are implemented outside of riparian (or other specially protected) buffer areas. Landscape Restoration includes the restoration of forest (i.e. reforestation) and/or meadow and the conversion of turf to meadow. In a truly sustainable site design process, this BMP should be considered only after the areas of development that require landscaping and/or revegetation are minimized. The remaining areas that do require landscaping and/or revegetation should be driven by the selection and use of vegetation (i.e., native species) that does not require significant chemical maintenance by fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides.

• Volume/Peak Rate Reduction by Infiltration BMPs
  • 6.4.1. Pervious pavement with infiltration bed
  • 6.4.2 Infiltration Basin
  • 6.4.3 Subsurface Infiltration bed
  • 6.4.4 Infiltration trench
  • 6.4.5 Rain Garden/bioretention
  • 6.4.6 Dry well/seepage pit
  • 6.4.7 Constructed filter
  • 6.4.8 Vegetated swale
  • 6.4.9 Vegetated Filter strip
  • 6.4.10 Infiltration berm & retentive grading
• Volume Peak Rate Reduction BMPs
  • 6.5.1 Vegetated Roof
  • 6.5.2 Rooftop runoff-capture & reuse
• Runoff Quality/Peak Rate BMPs
  • 6.6.1 Constructed wetland
  • 6.6.2 Wet pond/retention basin
  • 6.6.3 Dry extended detention basin
  • 6.6.4 Water quality filters & hydrodynamic devices
• Restoration BMPs
  • 6.7.1 Riparian buffer restoration
  • 6.7.2 Landscape restoration
  • 6.7.3 Soil amendment and restoration
  • 6.7.4 Floodplain restoration
• Other BMPs and related Structural Measures
  • 6.8.1 Level Spreader
  • 6.8.2 Special detention areas