Dan Cloak, P.E.18 September 2007

to achieve water quality benefitsin Contra Costa County

Implementing Low Impact Development

Low Impact Development

Design the site to mimic natural drainage.

Disperse runoff to landscape where possible.

Use Integrated Management Practices distributed around the site.

Swale

Reservoir, 12" min. depth

Reverse bend trap or hooded overflow

18" sandy loam, minimum infiltration rate 5" per hour

12" open-graded gravel, approx. ½" dia.

Perforated pipe

Downspout

Building exterior wall

Cobbles or splash block

Filter fabric

Concrete or other structural planter wall with waterproof membrane

Additional waterproofing on building as needed

Drain to storm drain or discharge; bottom-out or side-out options

Planter Box

Planter Box

Integrated Management Practices

Detain and treat runoff

Typically fit into setbacks and landscaped areas

Accommodate diverse plant palettes

Low-maintenance Don’t breed

mosquitoes Can be attractive

Soil surface must be 6-12" lower than surrounding pavement

Require 3-4 feet of vertical “head”

Can affect decisions about placement of buildings, roadways, and parking

Advantages Challenges

Contra Costa’s Path to Low Impact Development

Stormwater NPDES permit Early outreach to

land development community Staff work groups developed

LID approach to compliance Model ordinance Guidebook Training for designers &

reviewers Collaborative problem-solving

LID concept for urban areas

Planting medium

Gravel or drain rock

Turf or planting

Perforated pipe

4% of tributary impervious area

LID Design

9-acre, mixed use

Multi-family Residential

Retail nursery

Retail

Restaurant

Clay soils Flat grades Max. use Storm drains Setbacks

Swale “C-2”

6' to 10' width fits into setback

Underdrain/ overflow to storm drain below

Area “C-2”

Follow roof peaks and grade breaks

Area size determined by site layout

Use valley gutters instead of catch basins

25,825 x 0.04 = 1,033 square feet

1,033 ÷ 8 = 129 feet of swale

15 areas; 15 swales

Residential Development

Large hillside project

Difficulties Implementing LID

Developers plan buildings, streets, parking, and drainage before considering treatment requirements

Proprietary devices = quick fix

Integration with landscapingDeficiencies in construction

What’s worked for Contra Costa

State mandateLocal compliance strategy

●Collaboration and consensus●Expertise and ownership

Municipal Staff Work Groups ●Mutual support at staff level●Continuous improvement of

design guidance

Empowering the reviewer

MandateOrdinanc

e

DesignGuidanc

e

Support from peers

Support fromsuperiors

More info

Google “Contra Costa Stormwater”

Other places implementing LID●San Diego County municipalities●Riverside County municipalities●San Bernardino County●Monterey County●Sacramento County