Low Impact Development (LID) Practices
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Introduction to LID Practices
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Today we are discussing Low Impact Development practices, or LID. This approach helps us manage stormwater runoff in a way that mimics natural hydrology. Can anyone tell me why managing stormwater is important?
I think itβs to prevent flooding and pollution?
Exactly! Good job! By reducing flooding and preventing pollution, we protect both human and ecological communities. Can someone summarize what LID stands for again?
LID stands for Low Impact Development.
Correct! Now, who can name some of the practices included in LID?
Rain gardens and green roofs?
Yes, rain gardens and green roofs are great examples. LID aims to replicate the pre-development conditions of a site, which leads to better management of stormwater. Remember the acronym 'REUSE': Reduce, Enhance, Utilize, Store, and Educate. Let's keep that in mind!
Sustainable Techniques: Minimizing Impervious Surfaces
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Next, let's talk about minimizing impervious surfaces. Can anyone explain what impervious surfaces are?
They are surfaces that water cannot penetrate, like asphalt or concrete.
Great point! Now, why do we want to minimize these surfaces in LID?
To allow water to soak into the ground instead of running off?
Exactly! By using permeable pavements, rain can infiltrate rather than run off, which reduces pollution and flooding. Does anyone know an example of a permeable surface?
Permeable pavers?
Yes, thatβs correct! Remember, 'PAVERS' can help you recall this: Pave Responsibly, Allow Viable Effluent Restitution. By using these techniques, we help protect our water resources.
Rain Gardens and Bioswales
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Rain gardens and bioswales are essential components of LID. Can anyone describe what a rain garden is?
It's a garden that collects and absorbs rainwater?
Exactly! Rain gardens are designed to manage stormwater runoff while providing habitat for wildlife and beautifying a site. How might bioswales differ from rain gardens?
Bioswales are typically longer and designed to carry and treat water flow?
Right again! Bioswales help filter pollutants and slow down runoff. Who can summarize the benefits of using such techniques?
They help manage flooding, filter water, and create habitats!
Excellent summary! To remember, think 'GARDEN': Green space, Absorb water, Restore habitats, Design beauty, Enhance biodiversity, and Nourish environment.
Capture and Reuse Techniques
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Letβs discuss capturing and reusing rainwater. What systems can aid in this process?
Cisterns and rain barrels?
Correct! These systems can help us collect and store water for irrigation or other non-potable uses. Why is this beneficial?
It reduces the demand on potable water sources?
Exactly! Always remember the acronym 'CAPTURE': Collect, Aid, Preserve, Treat, Utilize, Reuse, and Educate for sustainable water practices.
Integrating LID in Urban Planning
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Lastly, how can we integrate LID in urban planning more effectively?
By including green spaces and natural features in designs?
Good! Such integration can lead to more resilient urban environments. What other factors should we consider?
Community involvement and stakeholder input?
Yes! Making sure communities are involved is crucial. To wrap up, remember 'WATER': We all Act To Encourage Resilience! This embodies the spirit of LID.
Introduction & Overview
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Quick Overview
Standard
Low Impact Development (LID) practices are essential for sustainable site design, focusing on managing stormwater through techniques such as rain gardens, green roofs, and permeable surfaces. By incorporating these methods, developers can enhance ecological integrity and water resource management while improving site aesthetics and functionality.
Detailed
Low Impact Development (LID) Practices
Low Impact Development (LID) practices encompass a variety of techniques used to manage stormwater runoff effectively. By prioritizing natural processes, LID helps in mimicking a site's pre-development hydrology and improving overall environmental quality. The significance of LID lies in its ability to
- Reduce Impervious Surfaces: By limiting paved areas and utilizing permeable designs.
- Incorporate Nature-Based Solutions: Techniques like rain gardens and bioswales filter and absorb runoff, enhancing both aesthetics and functionality.
- Capture and Reuse Water: Through systems designed to collect rainwater for irrigation and other uses.
- Improve Ecosystem Health: By maintaining natural waterways and establishing riparian buffers that filter pollutants and provide habitats. The ultimate goal of LID is to create a more resilient, sustainable urban environment.
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Rain Gardens and Bioswales
Chapter 1 of 7
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Chapter Content
Rain Gardens and Bioswales: Shallow depressions planted with native vegetation filter and absorb stormwater.
Detailed Explanation
Rain gardens and bioswales are specially designed areas that capture rainwater runoff from impervious surfaces like parking lots or rooftops. These depressions are filled with native plants that absorb excess water, helping to reduce flooding and improve water quality. The plants and soil in these gardens filter pollutants from the water before it seeps back into the groundwater or drains into nearby streams.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine a sponge. Just as a sponge soaks up spilled water on the floor, rain gardens and bioswales soak up rainwater that would otherwise create puddles or cause flooding. By planting them with native vegetation, they not only absorb the water but also provide a beautiful habitat for local wildlife.
Green Roofs
Chapter 2 of 7
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Chapter Content
Green Roofs: Vegetated roof surfaces retain rainfall and release it slowly.
Detailed Explanation
Green roofs are layers of soil and plants installed on rooftops. They help manage stormwater by absorbing rainwater, which reduces the amount of runoff that would enter storm drains. This also contributes to energy efficiency by insulating buildings, thus lowering heating and cooling costs.
Examples & Analogies
Think of a green roof like wearing a thick winter jacket. Just as a jacket keeps you warm by trapping heat, a green roof helps keep a building's interior comfortable by acting as insulation due to the soil and vegetation, while simultaneously managing water efficiently.
Infiltration Trenches and Percolation Pits
Chapter 3 of 7
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Chapter Content
Infiltration Trenches/Percolation Pits: Direct runoff underground, recharging groundwater.
Detailed Explanation
Infiltration trenches and percolation pits are structures designed to capture and allow water runoff to seep into the ground. These features help replenish the groundwater supply while reducing surface runoff and flood risks. They are typically filled with gravel or sand to facilitate drainage and filtration.
Examples & Analogies
Consider a sponge that has been filled with water. If you dig a small hole in the ground and place a sponge filled with water in it, the water slowly leaks out into the surrounding soil. Infiltration trenches work similarly, allowing stormwater to slowly filter into the ground, helping to replenish local aquifers.
Capture and Reuse
Chapter 4 of 7
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Chapter Content
Install rainwater harvesting systems to collect runoff for landscape irrigation or non-potable uses.
Detailed Explanation
Rainwater harvesting systems involve the collection of rainwater from rooftops and other surfaces, storing it for future use, such as watering gardens or flushing toilets. This practice conserves potable water and reduces the demand on municipal water supplies.
Examples & Analogies
Think about a bucket set outside during a rainstorm. The bucket collects the rainwater, and once the storm is over, you can use that water to wash your car or water your plants. Just like that bucket, a rainwater harvesting system collects rain for practical purposes, enabling us to use natural resources wisely.
Stormwater Treatment
Chapter 5 of 7
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Chapter Content
Implement oil/grit separators or vegetated filter strips to remove contaminants before water leaves the site.
Detailed Explanation
Stormwater treatment involves using methods like oil/grit separators and vegetated filter strips to clean the water before it is discharged. Oil/grit separators capture pollutants like oil and debris, while vegetated filter strips allow water to filter through soil and plants, removing contaminants effectively.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine washing your hands at a sink. The soap and water work together to scrub away dirt and germs. Similarly, stormwater treatment measures cleanse rainwater of pollutants, ensuring that when it flows into streams and rivers, it's clean and safe for the environment.
Natural Waterways and Buffers
Chapter 6 of 7
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Chapter Content
Maintain or restore riparian buffers along streams or ponds to filter pollutants and provide habitat.
Detailed Explanation
Riparian buffers are vegetated areas next to streams and ponds. They help filter runoff before it enters the waterbody, trapping sediments and pollutants. Additionally, these buffers provide important habitats for wildlife, promoting biodiversity and natural ecosystem functions.
Examples & Analogies
Consider a natural sponge placed at the edge of a lake. As rainwater flows over the land, the sponge catches dirt and pollutants before they can enter the lake, keeping the water clean. Riparian buffers act like this sponge, protecting aquatic ecosystems.
Planning and Implementation
Chapter 7 of 7
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Chapter Content
Design Stormwater Flow Simulate pre-development hydrology (reduce peak flows).
Detailed Explanation
Proper planning and implementation of stormwater management practices involve simulating how water naturally flows through a site before any development. This approach helps ensure that the developed site can manage stormwater efficiently while minimizing changes to the natural hydrology.
Examples & Analogies
Think of it like planning a water park. Before building, you would consider where water flows to determine the best spots for slides and pools to avoid flooding. Similarly, in stormwater management, we must understand natural water flow to design effective systems that minimize disruption.
Key Concepts
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LID promotes sustainable stormwater management through natural processes.
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Impervious surfaces increase stormwater runoff and pollution.
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Rain gardens and bioswales effectively filter and manage runoff.
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Capturing and reusing rainwater reduces demand on potable water sources.
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Community involvement is vital for successful LID integration.
Examples & Applications
A community park designed with a rain garden to manage overflow from nearby roads.
A shopping center with a bioswale that filters runoff from parking lots.
Memory Aids
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Rhymes
Rains that fall and gardens that grow, LID helps our waters flow slow.
Stories
A community growing together decided to create rain gardens, not just for beauty but to protect the rivers from flooding. They learned that planting smart helps nature's heartbeat.
Memory Tools
Remember 'WATER' for LID: We all Act To Encourage Resilience.
Acronyms
PAVERS
Pave Responsibly
Allow Viable Effluent Restitution.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Low Impact Development (LID)
A design approach to manage stormwater runoff to mimic natural hydrology.
- Impervious Surfaces
Surfaces that do not allow water to penetrate, leading to increased runoff.
- Rain Gardens
Landscaped areas designed to absorb and filter stormwater.
- Bioswales
Shallow, vegetated channels that convey stormwater while providing treatment.
- Cisterns
Containers used to collect and store rainwater for later use.
Reference links
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